noon
The next morning , before sunrise , the barking of Oliver Cromwell and a thin , blue smoke curling from the stovepipe of the _ Helen _ told that the lost alumnus was preparing breakfast . Jim and Percy had started off with their trawls some time before . Stevens volunteered to help their visitor repair his boom , so Filippo went out with Lane to haul the lobster-traps . All the boys were back at noon , when Thorpe , repairs made , waved farewell and sailed slowly out of the cove , dog and cats manning the side of the _ Helen _ , as if for a last salute . Throppy told of his morning 's work . `` Tried to pay me for what I did ; but of course I would n't take anything . You might not think it , but , inside , that old boat is as neat as wax .