seven o'clock
Nothing else was mentioned at any breakfast-table where a morning paper was taken that day ; hardly anything for many breakfasts to follow . In homes containing boys who had actually studied Greek under the mysterious Professor Nicolovius at Mimer 's School , discussion grew almost hectic ; while at Mrs. Paynter 's , where everybody was virtually a leading actor in the moving drama , the excitement closely approached delirium . Henry G. Surface , Jr. , was up betimes on the morning after his father 's death -- in fact , as will appear , he had not found time to go to bed at all -- and the sensational effects of the _ Post 's _ story were not lost upon him . As early as seven o'clock , a knot of people had gathered in front of the little house on Duke of Gloucester Street , staring curiously at the shut blinds , and telling each other , doubtless , how well they had known the dead man . When young Surface came out of the front door , an awed hush fell upon them ; he was aware of their nudges , and their curious but oddly respectful stare . And this , at the very beginning , was typical of the whole day ; wherever he went , he found himself an object of the frankest public curiosity . But all of this interest , he early discovered , was neither cool nor impersonal .