three in the afternoon
`` By this the storm grew loud apace , The water-wraith was shrieking ; And in the scowl of heaven each face , Grew dark as they were speaking . '' In the lulls of the rain and the blast , the same long low cry was heard which had startled me by Maria 's bedside , and occasioned the sudden and fatal exertion which had been the cause of the bursting out afresh of the blood vessel . `` Why , '' said I , `` it is little more than three o'clock in the afternoon yet , dark as it is ; let us sally out , Mr Bang , for I verify believe that the hollo we have heard is my Captain 's voice , and , if I conjecture rightly , he must have arrived at the other side of the river , probably with the Doctor . '' `` Why , Tom , '' quoth Aaron , `` it is only three in the afternoon , as you say , although by the sky I could almost vouch for its being midnight , -- but I do n't like that shouting -- Did you ever read of a water-kelpie , Don Richy ? '' `` Poo , poo , nonsense , '' said the Don ; `` Mr Cringle is , I fear , right enough . '' At this moment the wind thundered at the door and window shutters , and howled amongst the neighbouring trees and round the roof , as if it would have blown the house down upon our devoted heads . The cry was again heard , during a momentary pause .