six o'clock
`` If ever I come here early to meet him again , because he says he means to be here himself , I hope I may be -- blessed . '' On that especial morning it was twelve before Sir Raffle made his appearance , and Johnny avenged himself , -- I regret to have to tell it , -- by a fib . That Sir Raffle fibbed first , was no valid excuse whatever for Eames . `` I 've been at it ever since six o'clock , '' said Sir Raffle . `` At what ? '' said Johnny . `` Work , to be sure ; -- and very hard work too .