nine o'clock
At dinner-time Walter was nowhere to be found ; all that was known was that he had gone off on his pony , and had left a message behind him that he had a little bit of business in hand , and that they must not wait dinner for him if he should happen to be late . The other members of the family were not particularly surprised at his absence , knowing that he would be leaving home for the sea-side next day , and that he might have some little matter to settle with some friend in the neighbourhood . But they became a little anxious when old Harry remarked , in reply to a question from his master , that he had seen Master Walter ride off two hours ago with his rifle and fishing-rod in front of him , and that it seemed to him a little late for catching a big fish and then blazing away at him . By nine o'clock , however , Walter had returned , his pony evidently having had a sharp gallop home . `` Much sport , Master Walter ? '' asked the butler , who was standing in the stable-yard when he rode up . `` Oh , pretty good , '' was the reply ; `` just a whale or two , and some half - dozen sharks . ''