about a quarter
before eleven
As the hotel was monopolized , by the Melville crowd , Mr. Farnum had engaged other quarters at which to entertain the men of the press . Some of the newspapers sent women writers . None of these visitors were taken direct to the yards . Mr. Farnum and Mr. Pollard took the journalistic visitors in charge and finally conveyed them in carriages to the boatyard , arriving at about a quarter before eleven . Here Jack , Hal and Eph , looking at their best in their natty uniforms , were on hand to be presented . Of course , the mere fact of a competent , well-trained boy crew was a novelty to the newspaper writers , who made much of the submarine boys and asked them many questions about their work . `` How soon are you going to take us out aboard the ` Pollard ' ? ''