a
quarter past seven, summer
It was Miss Pew 's habit to take a cup of tea and a square of buttered toast every morning at seven , before she left her pillow ; in order to fortify herself for the effort of getting up and dressing , so as to be in her place , at the head of the chief table in the school dining-room , when eight o'clock struck . Had Miss Pew consulted her own inclination she would have reposed until a much later hour ; but the maintenance of discipline compelled that she should be the head and front of all virtuous movements at Mauleverer Manor . How could she inveigh with due force against the sin of sloth if she were herself a slug-a-bed ? Therefore did Miss Pew vanquish the weakness of the flesh , and rise at a quarter past seven , summer and winter . But this struggle between duty and inclination made the lady 's temper somewhat critical in the morning hours . Now it was the custom for one of the mistresses to carry Miss Pew 's tea-tray , and to attend at her bedside while she sipped her bohea and munched her toast . It was a delicate attention , a recognition of her dignity , which Miss Pew liked .