three o’clock
Little by little as the Seamew who was not quite certain as to her berth , rode at anchor , the town came to life again . Men of marine appearance , in baggy trousers and tight jerseys , came slowly on to the quay and stared meditatively at the water or shouted vehemently at other men , who had got into small boats to bale them out with rusty cans . From some of these loungers , after much shouting and contradictory information , the Seamew , discovered her destination and was soon fast alongside . The cargo -- a very small one -- was out by three o'clock that afternoon , and the crew , having replaced the hatches and cleaned up , went ashore together , after extending an invitation to Henry -- which was coldly declined -- to go with them . The skipper was already ashore , and the boy , after enduring for some time the witticisms of the mate , on the subject of apples , went too . For some time he wandered aimlessly about the town , with his hands in his pockets . The season was drawing to an end , but a few holiday-makers were lounging about on the parade , or venturing carefully along the dreary breakwater to get the full benefit of the sea air .