about seven o'clock
`` I plead guilty to the charge of Brother Avoirdupois ; and I acknowledge myself to be a worshipper at the shrine of Mr. Melancthon Sage , and I invoke a blessing upon the head of Monsieur Odervie , the chief cook . Our life on the ocean wave is a constant promotive of the appetite . If the proof of the pudding is not in the eating of the bag , it is in the eating of the dinners ; and I think we pay an abundant tribute to the talent of Mr. Sage , the prince of stewards , in the quantity of the well-cooked food he causes to be placed before us . '' `` We get through dinner about seven o'clock . I see that the accomplished chief steward is standing at the door , '' continued Louis . `` Now , Mr. Sage , would it be possible and convenient for you to have another dinner on the table , say at eight o'clock , an hour after the first feast had been finished ? '' `` Quite possible , and even convenient ; the only persons to complain of such an arrangement would be the cooks and stewards , '' replied Mr. Sage .