About seven o'clock
It is uncertain how long I should have remained in this uncertainty , had not a brother midshipman , in the coffee-room , accosted me , and kindly helped me out with my pint of port , which I thought I showed my manliness in calling for . He did not roast me very unmercifully , but what he spared in gibes he made up in drinking . I abstained with a great deal of firmness from following his example : he warmly praised my abstinence , I suppose with much sincerity , as it certainly appeared to be a virtue which he was incapable of practising . About seven o'clock my ready-made friend began to be more minute in his inquiries . I showed him my introductory letter , and he told me directly at what hotel the captain was established , and enforced upon me the necessity of immediately waiting upon him ; telling me I might think myself extremely lucky in having had to entertain only one officer , when so many thirsty and penniless ones were cruising about to sponge on the Johnny Raws . For himself , he said he was a man of honour , quite a gentleman , and insisted upon paying his share of the two bottles of port consumed , of which I certainly had not drunk more than four glasses . Secretly praising my man of honour for his disinterestedness , for I had asked him to take a glass of wine , which he had read as a couple of bottles , I ordered my bill , among the items of which stood conspicuously forth , `` Two bottles of old crusted port , fourteen shillings . ''