a quarter past two
But Benson was not in the best of tempers to-day and possibly his judgment was warped ! The Claflin team arrived in one of Hoskins ' barges and took possession of the meeting-room upstairs to change into their togs . They were a fine-looking lot of fellows , and they , too , had that same air of confidence that Benson had found annoying . By a quarter past two the stage was set . The grand stand was filled to overflowing , the settees and chairs , which had been brought out to supplement the permanent seats , were all occupied , and many spectators were standing along the ropes . Over the stand the big maroon-and-grey banner floated lazily in the breeze . The field had been newly marked out and the cream-white lines shone dazzlingly in the sharp sunlight .