eight
o’clock
And everyone , surely , must agree with Cousin Hans that if a woman is to fulfil her mission in this life -LRB- that is to say , to be a man 's wife -RRB- she ought clearly to have no other acquirements than those her husband wishes her to have , or himself confers upon her . Any other fund of knowledge must always be a dowry of exceedingly doubtful value . Cousin Hans was in the most miserable of moods . It was only eight o'clock , and he did not think it would do to take his departure before half-past nine . The captain had already settled himself at the table , prepared to begin the sham-fight . There was no chance of escape , and Hans took a seat at his side . Opposite to him sat Miss Betty , with her sewing , and with a book in front of her .