The next morning, Mr. Jarndyce arrives at work an hour early. He apologizes for the delay in returning home, but he is not the only one who has had a bad day. He has also had an alcohol-induced hangover, and he has refused to return home. He tells his assistant that he will have a shower the next morning. The assistant tells him that he has to come early because he is his assistant's boss, and it is necessary for him to do so. He says that the smell of coffee keeps him up at night, so he had to get up early to get some fresh fruit. He promises to prepare a nice meal for them the next day, when they will be meeting again.