eleven o'clock
` Oh no , of course not , ' I answered lightly . I fancied that he looked more concerned than the occasion warranted , and I feared that he suspected the real reason for my early walk . There was now nothing to be done but to wait till the shower was over , and by that time I found it would be impossible for me to go to Kettleness without seeming deliberately to avoid the service . The sun came out , and the sky was quite blue before eleven o'clock , and the fishermen spread tarpaulins on the sand for the congregation to sit on , and I found myself -- I must say very much against my will -- being led to the place by little Jack . ` Well , there is no need for me to listen , ' I said to myself ; ` I will plan out a new picture , and no one will know where my thoughts are . ' But , in spite of my resolution to the contrary , from the moment that Jack 's father began to speak , my attention was riveted , and I could not choose but listen . ` The Tug of War is our subject to-day , dear friends , ' he began , ` and a very suitable subject , I think , after what we have witnessed on this green during the past week .