Why can't people take the hint ?

One of my uncles was an exceptionally early riser and liked to make car journeys before the traffic built up (this was in the 1950s). He and my aunt turned up at our home at 8.00am for a Sunday visit. DF, having had enough of these early arrivals, told them quite politely to go away and return after 10.00am when we, as a family, would be ready to receive them.

They did, we had no more early arrivals and family relations remained amicable (I think my aunt, who was not an early riser, was glad of an opportunity for a lie-in)

We used to have a vicar here who always turned up at mealtimes hoping to get fed (he had a lovely wife and family so no excuse). As I am not a church goer he got short shift here and was not asked in (jungle telegraph had warned me in advance !). My ex DH probably still remembers said vicar spouting the bible while my ex was digging a deep trench (by hand/shovel) for a new water pipe.
Sorry - gone off at a tangent ! Going back to the OP - I would have eaten the meal while he was there as others have said.

I agree with Elegran your good manners were wasted on him !!

nina I would have eaten the meal - asked if he minded if we ate while he drank a cup of tea and had a piece of cake/biscuit.

DD had a neighbour who used to turn up every evening at mealtime. His wife had left him and SIL used to asked if he wanted to stay for dinner because he felt sorry for him.

(when I say neighbour I mean about 4 miles down the road on another farm, so not exactly next door.)