five o'clock
Mr. Cockey had been alone for a whole day when Gilmore arrived , having reached Loring just twenty-four hours in advance of our friend , and was contemplating the sadly diminished joys of a second solitary dinner at the Bull , when fortune threw this stranger in his way . The waiter , looking at the matter in a somewhat similar light , and aware that a combined meal would be for the advantage of all parties , very soon assisted Mr. Cockey in making his arrangements for the evening . Mr. Gilmore would no doubt want to dine . Dinner would be served at five o'clock . Mr. Cockey was going to dine , and Mr. Gilmore , the waiter thought , would probably be glad to join him . Mr. Cockey expressed himself as delighted , and would only be too happy . Now men in love , let their case be ever so bad , must dine or die .