seven o'clock
Jack often had , and though he had never grumbled at privations or hardships , he was , notwithstanding , all the more ready to do ample justice to the viands spread out before him . He showed this when , after having helped several of the party from the side-board , he returned with his own well-loaded plate to the table . The guardsman watched him with astonishment , and even his brother , the barrister , thought that Jack had got an enormous appetite . Jack , who was hungry , saw no reason why he should not eat till he was satisfied , and had laid in a store of food to last him till the seven o'clock dinner , for luncheon he eschewed as effeminate and an unnecessary interruption to the business of the day . Before breakfast was concluded the post-bag was brought in , opened by Sir John , and its contents distributed . An official-looking letter , addressed to Jack , attracted universal attention . `` Who is it from ? ''