seven o'clock
The state-room was uncomfortable , though , strange to say , I could not smell the dampness which had annoyed me in the night . My room-mate was still asleep -- excellent opportunity for avoiding him , so I dressed at once and went on deck . The day was warm and cloudy , with an oily smell on the water . It was seven o'clock as I came out -- much later than I had imagined . I came across the doctor , who was taking his first sniff of the morning air . He was a young man from the West of Ireland -- a tremendous fellow , with black hair and blue eyes , already inclined to be stout ; he had a happy-go-lucky , healthy look about him which was rather attractive . `` Fine morning , '' I remarked , by way of introduction .