seven o'clock in the
evening
`` Oh , it wo n't hurt her ; especially if it consists of preparations for the wedding . '' A bell rang . `` There now , Ishmael , there is that diabolical dinner-bell ! You may look , but it is true : a dinner-bell that peals out at seven o'clock in the evening is a diabolical dinner-bell . At college we dine at twelve meridian , sharp , and sup at six . It is dreadful to sit at table a whole hour , and be bored by seeing other people eat , and pretending to eat yourself , when you are not hungry . Well , there 's no help for it .