five
o’clock in the morning
It is impossible for a self-respecting man who has been brought up at an English public school to begin the day in good humour unless he is able to wash himself thoroughly . But the designer of the steamers of this particular line did not properly appreciate the fact . He provided a meagre supply of basins for the passengers , many of whom , in consequence , land at Kingstown Pier in irritable moods , Frank Mannix was one of them . The elderly gentleman , who appeared less than ever a gentleman at five o'clock in the morning , was another . Mannix retained , in spite of his sleepiness and his sensation of grime , a slight amount of self-control . He was moderately grateful to an obsequious sailor who relieved him of his kit bag . He carried , as he had the night before , his own gun-case and fishing-rod .