ten o’clock
He had no one to whom he could detail his injuries but the servants , and they were almost of necessity his chosen confidants . It is no less strange than true , however , that the little weaknesses which he had incurred , most probably during his military career , seemed to increase as his comforts diminished . He was actually a sort of journeyman Giovanni of the basement story . The next morning , being Sunday , breakfast was laid in the front parlour at ten o'clock . Nine was the usual time , but the family always breakfasted an hour later on sabbath . Tibbs enrobed himself in his Sunday costume -- a black coat , and exceedingly short , thin trousers ; with a very large white waistcoat , white stockings and cravat , and Blucher boots -- and mounted to the parlour aforesaid . Nobody had come down , and he amused himself by drinking the contents of the milkpot with a teaspoon .