about midnight
`` And the tide is rising , is it not ? '' I continued , the freshening breeze having suggested an idea to me which I in turn wished to suggest to my companion . `` Ay , risin ' fast , '' answered he . `` It 'll be high-water about midnight , I reckon . '' `` Just so , '' I agreed . The idea which I wished to suggest to him had clearly not yet dawned upon him -- although it ought to have done so without any need of a hint from me , -- so , without further beating about the bush , I said : `` Now , do n't you think , Carter , that , with this nice little breeze blowing from precisely the right direction , it would be quite worth while to loose and set the square canvas and -- '' `` Throw it all aback , '' he cut in as at last he caught my idea . `` Why , of course I do , Mr Grenvile , and thank ' e for the hint .