nine
o'clock
Now do not let me take up any more of your time . You have plenty of acquaintances that you wish to see , I have no doubt ; and as for my yarns , they will do to pass away a watch , when we have nothing more attractive to divert us . '' So saying , he held out his hand , and shook mine most cordially . `` To-morrow , at nine o'clock , '' he repeated ; and I left him , much pleased with my interview . I went back to my inn , thinking what a very fortunate fellow I was to have such an honest , straight-forward , bold , British hero of a captain , on my first appointment . I ordered my dinner at the George , and then strolled out to make my purchases , and give my orders for a few articles for sea service . I fell in with several old messmates ; they congratulated me on my promotion , and declared I should give them a dinner to wet my commission , to which I readily consented .