nine o'clock
Presently he sat down , took his pipe from his pocket , filled it , and began to smoke . A heavy step sounded on the companion steps , and Chard descended somewhat unsteadily , and calling for the second steward -- who was in the pantry -- to come to him , brushed past the chief officer , and went into his own cabin . The second steward -- a dirty , evil-faced little cockney named Jessop , whom Oliver and his fellow officers particularly abhorred -- at once followed the supercargo in to his cabin , which was immediately closed . In less than five minutes it opened again , and Jessop came out and returned to the pantry , and presently Oliver heard the rattle of cups and saucers as the man made preparations for the coffee which was always served to Hendry , Chard , Carr , and Tessa and her attendant , and the officer on watch at nine o'clock every evening . `` Would you like a cup of coffee , sir , as you have not turned in ? '' It was Jessop who was speaking , and Oliver looked up in some wonder , for the man knew that he disliked him , and indeed he -LRB- Oliver -RRB- had once smartly cuffed him for creating a disturbance for ` ard with the native crew . Most fortunately for himself , Oliver did not want any coffee , so merely giving the man a gruff `` No , thank you , '' he rose and went on deck .