eleven o'clock
He developed more and more a good and amiable disposition , and the most remarkable talents as teacher . The children became attached to him with the most intense affection ; nor did their obedience and reverence for him as preceptor prevent them , in their freer hours , from playing him all kind of little pranks . Petrea was especially rich in such inventions ; and he was too kind , too much delighted with their pleasure , not willingly to assist , or even at times allow himself to be the butt of their jokes . Breakfast , which for the elder members of the family was commonly served at eleven o'clock , furnished the children with an excellent opportunity for their amusement . The Candidate was particularly fond of eggs , and therefore , when under a bulky-looking napkin he expected to find some , and laid hasty hands on it , he not unfrequently discovered , instead of eggs , balls of worsted , playing-balls , and other such indigestible articles ; on which discovery of his , a stifled laughter would commonly be heard at the door , and a cluster of children 's heads be visible , which he in pretended anger assailed with the false eggs , and which quickly withdrew amid peals of laughter . Often too , when , according to old Swedish usage , he would take a glass of spirits , he found pure water instead of Cognac in his mouth ; and the little advocates of temperance were always near enough to enjoy his astonishment , although sufficiently distant , also , that not one drop of the shower which was then sent at them should reach them , though it made them leap high enough for delight . And really it was wonderful how often these little surprises could be repeated , and how the Candidate let himself so constantly be surprised .