about four in
the afternoon
Indeed , I had little time at my disposal . Messieurs Sharpe and Fowler had left the night before in the persuasion that I was a liar of the first magnitude ; the genial belief brought them aboard again with the earliest opportunity , proffering help to one who had proved how little he required it , and hospitality to so respectable a character . I had business to mind , I had some need both of assistance and diversion ; I liked Fowler -- I do n't know why ; and in short , I let them do with me as they desired . No creditor intervening , I spent the first half of the day inquiring into the conditions of the tea and silk market under the auspices of Sharpe ; lunched with him in a private apartment at the Hawaiian Hotel -- for Sharpe was a teetotaler in public ; and about four in the afternoon was delivered into the hands of Fowler . This gentleman owned a bungalow on the Waikiki beach ; and there , in company with certain young bloods of Honolulu , I was entertained to a sea-bathe , indiscriminate cocktails , a dinner , a _ hula-hula _ , and -LRB- to round off the night -RRB- poker and assorted liquors . To lose money in the small hours to pale intoxicated youth has always appeared to me a pleasure overrated . In my then frame of mind , I confess I found it even delightful ; put up my money -LRB- or rather my creditors ' -RRB- and put down Fowler 's champagne with equal avidity and success ; and awoke the next morning to a mild headache and the rather agreeable lees of the last night 's excitement .