eight o'clock
The Admiral is coming , and some brother officers who would be pleased to know you . ' `` Well , I was struck all of a heap for a minute , knowing what kind of clo'es I had to go in , and so I says : '' ` Well , gentlemen , that 's very nice of you , and I see you mean it , and if I had anything fittin ' to wear there 's nothin ' I would like better ; but ye see how I 'm fixed , ' and I lifted my arms so he could see a few holes that he might a-missed before , and I motioned to some other parts of my get-up that needed repairs . '' ` That do n't make no difference , Cap'n , what kind of clo'es you come in . We dine at eight o'clock . ' `` Of course I knew I could n't go , and I did n't want 'em to think I intended to go when I did n't , so I says , rather positive-like : '' ` Very much obliged , gentlemen , but I guess I 'll have to get you to count me out this time . ' I knowed I war n't fittin ' to sit at anybody 's table , especially if that old Admiral was comin ' . `` The Colonel see I was in earnest , and he stepped up , quick-like , and laid his hand on my shoulder . ''