about ten o'clock
She could hardly believe , crying herself to sleep on Friday night , that two whole days were still to spare before Monday , and that she was helpless to use them . Her mind worked madly , her thoughts rushing to and fro with a desperation worthy an actual prisoner . On Saturday evening , after a day of such homesickness and heavy-heartedness as she had never known before in her life , she had realized that they were in some port , lying a short half mile from shore . It was about ten o'clock , warm and star-lighted ; there was no moon . Norma had slipped from the deck , where Caroline was playing bridge , and had gone to the lowered gang-plank . Captain Burns was there , going over what appeared to be invoices , with the head steward . `` Captain , '' Norma had said , her heart pounding , `` ca n't you put me on shore ?