five
o'clock
He selected a day-school not far from the Luxembourg , because he could see the top branches of an acacia overtopping the wall , and the house had a cheerful look . Jean , as a little new boy -LRB- he was now eleven -RRB- , was some weeks before he shook off the shyness with which his schoolfellows ' loud voices and rough ways and his masters ' ponderous gravity had at first overwhelmed him . Little by little he grew used to the work , and learned some of the tricks by means of which punishments were avoided ; his schoolfellows found him so inoffensive they left off stealing his cap and initiated him in the game of marbles . But he had little love for school-life , and when five o'clock came , prayers were over and his satchel strapped , it was with unfeigned delight he dashed out into the street basking in the golden rays of the setting sun . In the intoxication of freedom , he danced and leapt , seeing everything , men and horses , carriages and shops , in a charmed light , and out of sheer joy of life mumbling at his Aunt Servien 's hand and arm , as she walked home with him carrying the satchel and lunch-basket . The evening was a peaceful time . Jean would sit drawing pictures or dreaming over his copy-books at one end of the table where Mademoiselle Servien had just cleared away the meal .