about one o'clock
Never mind , my dear , '' she continued to Rodd . `` Better luck next time . Fortunately I have got plenty of eggs , and there 's the ham waiting for me to cut off some more rashers . '' As she spoke the woman hurried into her kitchen , from which sharp crackling sounds announced that he was thrusting pieces of wood under the kettle , and as she busied herself she went on talking aloud so that they could hear -- `` Did you hear the gun fire , sir , somewhere about one o'clock ? '' `` Yes , '' grunted Uncle Paul . `` Dinner-time , and we ate your sandwiches , Mrs Champernowne . They were delicious . ''