four o’clock
Turn it and twist it as much as you please , that 's what it comes to . '' `` When I want your advice , '' said the skipper , covering his confusion by a vigorous use of the towel , `` I 'll ask for it . '' He finished dressing in silence and went ashore , and after looking about him in a perfunctory fashion , strolled off in the direction of Gravesend . The one gleam of light in his present condition was the regular habits of schools , and as he went along he blessed the strong sense of punctuality which possessed the teaching body at four o'clock . To-day , however , his congratulations were somewhat premature , for long after the children had come and gone there was no sign of Annis Gething . He walked up and down the road wondering . Half-past four , five .