eleven
o'clock
The youngest , whom they called Sylvestre or `` Lurlu , '' was only seventeen , yet already a man for height and strength ; a fine curly black beard covered his cheeks ; still he had childlike eyes , bluish-grey in hue , and sweet and tender in expression . Huddled against one another , for want of space , they seemed to feel downright comfort , snugly packed in their dark home . Outside spread the ocean and night -- the infinite solitude of dark fathomless waters . A brass watch , hung on the wall , pointed to eleven o'clock -- doubtless eleven at night -- and upon the deck pattered the drizzling rain . Among themselves , they treated these questions of marriage very merrily ; but without saying anything indecent . No , indeed , they only sketched plans for those who were still bachelors , or related funny stories happening at home at wedding-feasts . Sometimes with a happy laugh they made some rather too free remarks about the fun in love-making .