nine
o’clock
The next morning the boys were aroused at seven o'clock by a servant , who brought a tray with the most fragrant coffee and hot rolls . It was in honor of the guest that , in accordance with Norse custom , this early meal was served ; and all the boys , carrying pillows and blankets , gathered on Albert 's and Ralph 's bed and feasted right royally . So it seemed to them , at least ; for any break in the ordinary routine , be it ever so slight , is an event to the young . Then they had a pillow-fight , thawed at the stove the water in the pitchers -LRB- for it was frozen hard -RRB- , and arrayed themselves to descend and meet the family at the nine o'clock breakfast . When this repast was at an end , the question arose how they were to entertain their guest , and various plans were proposed . But to all Ralph 's propositions his mother interposed the objection that it was too cold . `` Mother is right , '' said Mr. Hoyer ; `` it is so cold that ` the chips jump on the hill-side . '