half past seven
Stafford nodded , with his eyes on the stream . `` I should give the nags some gruel , Pottinger , and put an extra coat on them : it 'll be cold to-night . Ta , ta , Howard ! Tell 'em to get a nice dinner ; I 'll be there in time for 'em to cook the fish ; but do n't wait if I should be late -- say half past seven . '' `` I promise you I wo n't , '' retorted Howard , fervently . `` And I am one of those men who never break a promise -- unless it 's inconvenient . '' The phaeton drove on , Stafford went down to the stream , put up his rod , chose a fly as carefully as if the fate of a kingdom depended on it , and began to fish .