about seven o'clock
They dined at about one o'clock , and he managed to get a little spirit to drink with his meal . He had walked out -- not very far -- with Gertie in the afternoon , and had managed by representing himself as having walked seven miles -- he was determined not to risk anything by foolishly cutting it too fine -- to obtain a little more . They had tea about six , and ate , each of them , a kippered herring and some watercress . Then about seven o'clock Frank suddenly walked in and sat down . `` Give me something to eat and drink , '' he said . He looked , indeed , extraordinarily strained and tired , and sat back on the upturned box by the fireplace as if in exhaustion . He explained presently when Gertie had cooked another herring , and he had drunk a slop-basinful of tea , that he had walked fasting since breakfast , but he said nothing about the priest .