four o'clock
Louis was a boy of no mean ability , and now , fired with the hope of distinguishing himself , and gaining a little honor that might efface the remembrance of past idleness , and give some pleasure to his dear parents , he applied himself so diligently and unremittingly to his studies during the last month , as to astonish his masters . I do not mean to particularize the subjects for examination given by Dr. Wilkinson to the two upper classes , for this simple reason , that my classical and mathematical ignorance might cause mistakes more amusing to the erudite reader than pleasant to the author . It shall be sufficient to say , that whatever these subjects had been , the day 's examination had gone through in a manner equally creditable to masters and pupils ; and after a few turns in the fresh air when tea was over , a knot , comprising the greater part of the above-mentioned classes , assembled round their head man to congratulate him on his undoubted successes , and to talk over the events of the day elsewhere . Reginald and Louis could spare little time for talking , and were walking up and down the playground , questioning and answering each other with the most untiring diligence , though both of them had been up since four o'clock that morning . There were a few who had risen still earlier , and who now lay fast asleep on forms in the school-room , or endeavored to keep their eyes open by following the example of our hero and his brother . `` John 's fast asleep , '' said Salisbury , laughing ; `` he has a capital way of gaining time -- by getting up at half-past three , and falling asleep at seven . '' `` How does he stand for the prizes ? ''