eight o'clock
There was one comfort ; he was not so much afraid of Crawley as he did not conceal from himself that he had once been . Hitherto he had feared that if it came to a quarrel , he would not get the best of it , and this had caused him to restrain himself on many occasions when he had longed to give vent to his feelings . But , now that he had skill and science on his side , the case was different , and the balance in his favour ; and if this wonderful Crawley , whom everybody made such a fuss about , did not like what he had to say to him , he might do the other thing . The boys were gathered about the quadrangle in groups , waiting to go in for eight o'clock school , for the different class-rooms were not open till the master of each came with his key and unlocked the door , by which time all the class were expected to be outside , ready to go in with him . And so it was the custom to assemble rather early , and now , though it was ten minutes to the hour by the big clock , the majority had arrived . Directly Saurin came he looked for Crawley , and saw him standing chatting with some other fellows . He walked straight up to him .