half past ten
There was no noise except the plash of the low-tide waves and the occasional flutter of a fish in the bottom of the dory . Kate and I always killed our fish at once by a rap on the head , for it certainly saved the poor creatures much discomfort , and ourselves as well , and it made it easier to take them off the hook than if they were flopping about and making us aware of our cruelty . Suddenly the captain wound up his line and said he thought we 'd better be going in , and Kate and I looked at him with surprise . `` It is only half past ten , '' said I , looking at my watch . `` Do n't hurry in on our account , '' added Kate , persuasively , for we were having a very good time . `` I guess we wo n't mind about the haddock . I 've got a feelin ' we 'd better go ashore . ''