noon
But this was just what Link seemed wholly unable to do . He hated the ship , the officers , everything in life ; and the hot July weather worked upon this hatred until it became a possessing fury . At dinner-time he very nearly wrecked his chance for good and all . Shortly before noon a diminutive , mild-looking gentleman , noticeable for his childlike manner and a pair of large round spectacles , came alongside the _ Egeria _ in a shore-boat . It appeared that he bore a visitor 's ticket for the afternoon function and had arrived thus early by invitation of one of the Committee to take a good look over the ship before the proceedings began . Apparently , too , the Committee-man had sent Commander Headworthy no warning -- to judge from that officer 's wrathful face and the curt tone in which he invited his visitor to luncheon . The mild-looking gentleman -- who gave his name as Harris -- declined courteously , averring that he had brought a sandwich with him .