midnight
`` I have honours conferred on me , father . Captain MacAlister is having afternoon tea in his cabin , and you , Mr Gerrard , and Jim are invited ; I am to be hostess . In another hour I shall be the best hated woman on board . '' It was past midnight , and the chief steward of the Gambier was taking a last glance through the empty saloon to see that everything was in order before he turned in , when Swires , the purser 's bedroom steward , came to him . `` If you please , sir , the gentlemen in No. 16 send their compliments , and would be obliged to you if you will let them have their lights on full for an hour or so for a game . And they want a couple of bottles of Usher 's and a dozen of soda . '' `` Why ca n't they play cards in the-smoking-room on deck ? ''