noon
On the morning of the 5th the vessel was a picture , and Joyce surveyed her with the pride of a man who feels that he has not worked in vain . He had set his heart upon the brothers celebrating the first day of their re-union on board the trim little craft : and he had made arrangements for the preparation of a dinner which was to be a triumph in its way . Joyce presented himself at the bar of the ` Jolly Tar ' at half-past eleven on the appointed morning . He expected that the brothers would be punctual ; but he did not expect either of them to appear before the stroke of noon . All was very quiet at the ` Jolly Tar ' at this hour of the day . The landlord was alone in the bar , reading a paper . He looked up as Joyce entered ; but did not appear to recognize him .