five o’clock
At dinner-time a telegram came from Annis , and the next morning brought a letter from her which the skipper read aloud to the proud father . He read it somewhat jerkily , omitting sentences and halves of sentences which he thought might not interest the old man , or perhaps , what was more likely , would interest him a great deal . After that they were all busy taking in the cargo , Captain Gething , in shirt and trousers , insisting upon lending a hand . The cargo was all in by five o'clock and the hatches down . Below in the cabin the two captains and the mate sat over a substantial tea . `` Get away about three , I s ' pose ? '' said the mate .