eight o'clock
I was pleased to see the old _ lusus naturæ _ sitting in a chair , and seemingly quite strong . Bainbridge made himself agreeable , delivered to Peters some small gifts of edibles , and then proceeded to ask a number of questions -- I presume , from their nature , concerning _ minutiæ _ relating to the adventures under consideration . Then we returned to town , and separated . Promptly at eight o'clock Bainbridge entered , and , as he took his customary seat , cast a glance at Arthur , who sat on a chair in the corner of the room . `` Well , '' began Bainbridge , after a moment 's thought , `` we were remarking that within our own knowledge and experience , true love has been exceedingly likely to meet with obstructions to its complete fruition : -- and Lilama and Pym met with a similar experience in far-away Hili-li . Peters took a great interest in Pym 's love affair ; in fact , he had grown almost to worship the young fellow whose life he had many times preserved , and who in less than a year had , under his eye , grown from a careless boy to a thoughtful man . Pym returned the liking of his old companion and benefactor ; but Peters ' sentiment was one of infatuation , such as only those persons who are ` close to nature ' seem capable of feeling in its fullest development .