three o'clock in the morning
I may tell you , young gentleman , that the commodore 's report of your conduct upon certain occasions has very favourably impressed me , so much so , indeed , that I am more than half-inclined to keep you here , instead of sending you back -- but we shall see , we shall see . Now , just give me a detailed account of your entire services from the time when you first entered the navy , and tell it me as you would to any ordinary friend , for this conversation is not official ; it is not a report from a midshipman to an admiral , but just a friendly chat between an elderly gentleman and a young one . '' Thus encouraged I got under way and spun my yarn as best I could , Sir Timothy interrupting me from time to time to ask a question or to elicit from me an explanation of some point which I had not made quite clear . We sat there talking until close upon three o'clock in the morning , and when at length we rose to retire to our respective rooms , Sir Timothy remarked : `` Well , Mr Grenvile , I have listened to your story with a great deal of pleasure and satisfaction , and what you have told me has fully confirmed me in my half-formed determination to keep you here on the station for the present . Come to me at my office down at Port Royal , at -- let me see -- yes , say three o'clock to-morrow , or , rather , this afternoon , and I shall then have something more to say to you . Oh , and there is another matter upon which I intended to speak to you ! I understand , both from the commodore and yourself , that you are anxious to pass , so that your acting order as lieutenant may be confirmed .