half past seven
`` I am very much obliged to you for the honor you have conferred upon me ; but we can hardly afford the time now to talk about titles . You were going to say something about the breeze , Commodore Thornton . '' `` I say that there is a good breeze now , General Vallington ; and I think , if the commissary is ready , we can reach Cannondale in the Splash by nine o'clock . It is half past seven now , '' I replied , looking at my watch . `` The commissary is all ready , '' said Tom Rush . `` What time shall you return ? '' asked the general .