three o'clock
His tone was one of irritation -- or it sounded so to the ears of his conscious brother , and Val bit his lips . After that , throughout the morning , they maintained a studied silence towards each other ; and this was observed , but was not commented on . Val was unusually quiet altogether : he was saying to himself that he was sullen . The starting-hour for the race was three o'clock ; but long before that time the scene was sufficiently animated , not to say exciting . It was a most lovely afternoon . Not a trace remained of the previous day 's rain ; and the river -- wide just there , as it took the sweeping curve of the point -- was dotted with these little wager boats . Their owners for the time being , in their white boating-costume , each displaying his colours , were in highest spirits ; and the fair gazers gathered on the banks were anxious as to the result .