nearly noon
As has been said , there was plenty of clothing to withstand the rigors of the arctic regions . There was an abundance of gasolene for the engines and for heating the ship . In short , Professor Henderson seemed to have forgotten nothing that would make his trip to the north pole a success . After he had explained all he thought necessary , he told the two farm hands to see what they could do in the way of preparing a meal , as it was nearly noon , and everyone was hungry . Rather awkwardly at first , Bill and Tom started in . They soon got the knack of things , however , and once they had found out how to run the electric stove they were right at home making soups and other dishes from the condensed foods . The first meal on the _ Monarch _ was voted a success .