eight o'clock
`` You never saw a masterer , that 's what you were going to say , was n't it ? Well , and take one thing with another , nor did I , George , if that 's any comfort to you . Now look here , just cover over this hole with some boards and earth , and then come in and get some breakfast . It 's past eight o'clock and the gale is blowing itself out . A merry Christmas to you , George ! '' and he held out his hand , covered with cuts , grime and blood . George shook it .