four o'clock
Barely twenty-four years old , she was still in the first flush of youth and health , and there was nothing she loved so much as exercise and fresh air . After a few turns on deck , there was a ruddy glow in her cheeks that was good to see and many an admiring glance was cast at the young couple as they strode briskly up and down past the double rows of elongated steamer chairs . They had the deck pretty much to themselves . It was only four o'clock , too early for the appetite-stimulating walk before dinner , and their fellow passengers were basking in the sunshine , stretched out on their chairs in two even rows like so many mummies on exhibition . Some were reading , some were dozing . Two or three were under the weather , completely prostrated , their bilious complexion of a deathly greenish hue . At each new roll of the ship , they closed their eyes as if resigned to the worst that might happen and their immediate neighbours furtively eyed each of their movements as if apprehensive of what any moment might bring forth .