one o'clock
`` I would n't like your temper would be destroyed for the want of what I 'd be glad to give you . '' Meldon looked at his watch . `` Thank you , '' he said , `` I will . It 's one o'clock , and Sabina ought to have the bacon ready by now if she started cooking it the time I told her . '' Ballymoy House , save for the occasional presence of a fishing tenant , has been unoccupied for years . Two men are employed to keep the grounds tidy , and Mr. Simpkins does his best to see that the work is done . But in spite of his exertions the place is in a condition of disorder .