noon on
Thursday
For the next three days work went on from morning until night . Jack was stationed at one of the hatchways with the second mate checking off every box , bale , and package as it went down . The boatswain and crew came on board on the Tuesday , as there was the work of bending the sails and getting all in readiness for the start to be got through . Jack had not returned home on Monday or Tuesday night , but on Wednesday he went home to say good-bye , for the vessel was to go out of dock at noon on Thursday . Before leaving home he donned for the first time his neat uniform , which had only come a few days before . Lily was delighted with his appearance , and his mother felt no little pride as she looked at him , and , sad as she was at the prospect of his long absence , was thoroughly convinced that the choice he had made was a wise one . Mrs. Godstone and her daughter had been down twice to call upon Mrs. Robson since her arrival at Dulwich , and on the previous Saturday Jack and his mother had gone there to dine , Captain and Mrs. Murchison being the only other guests .