eight o'clock in the evening
My wife should be rigged out from top to toe , and we 'd jest settle down and take things easy . '' John Trafton was not very strict in his principles , and his conscience did not trouble him much . Even if it had , the dazzling picture which his fancy painted of an easy and luxurious future would probably have carried the day . It was only eight o'clock in the evening when the fisherman lifted the latch of the outer door and entered the cabin . His wife and Robert looked up in surprise , for it was about two hours earlier than he generally made his appearance . Another surprise -- his gait and general appearance showed that he was quite sober . This was gratifying , even if it was the result of his credit being exhausted .