one o'clock
While they sat thus toying with the lumps of gold , the conversation reverted to the sender of it , and the Captain told such entertaining anecdotes of bush life , in all of which `` Uncle Willum '' had been an actor , that the afternoon arrived before Mrs Stoutley had time to wish for it . They also talked of the last illness of the deceased father of the family ; and when it came out that Captain -LRB- they had found out by that time that their visitor had been a skipper , and , by courtesy , a captain -RRB- , had assisted `` Willum '' in nursing Mr Stoutley , and had followed him to the grave , Mrs Stoutley 's gratitude was such that she insisted on her visitor staying to dinner . `` Thank ` ee , ma'am , '' he said , `` I 've dined . I always dines at one o'clock if I can manage it . '' `` But we do n't dine till eight , '' said the lady , `` so it will just suit for your supper . '' `` Do come , '' said Emma Gray , `` we shall be quite alone , and shall have a great spinning of yarns over Uncle William and the gold-fields . '' `` Well , I do n't mind if I do , '' said the Captain , `` but before supper I must go to the docks for my kit and settle my lodgings . ''