about twelve o’clock
`` I beg your pardon -- are you speaking of a lady with curly hair and large blue eyes ? '' asked Cousin Hans . `` Exactly , '' answered the captain , `` do you know Miss Beck ? '' `` No , '' answered Hans , `` it only occurred to me that it might be a lady I met down on the esplanade about twelve o'clock . '' `` No doubt it was she '' said the captain . `` A pretty girl , is n't she ? '' `` I thought her beautiful , '' answered Hans , with conviction .