seven o’clock
`` Come to Jesus , '' it said , and it was intended as a hint to the lieutenant not to argue with him when he occasionally came home from barracks for a few minutes . Gustav was of a lively disposition , `` a handful , '' as his uncle had said . He wasted no time in brooding . He had promised to call for Theodore at seven o'clock ; they were going to make arrangements for the celebration of the professor 's birthday . Theodore 's secret plan was to convert his brother , and Gustav 's equally secret intention was to make his younger brother take a more reasonable view of life . Punctually at seven o'clock , a cab stopped before the house , -LRB- the lieutenant invariably arrived in a cab -RRB- and immediately after Theodore heard the ringing of his spurs and the rattling of his sword on the stairs . `` Good evening , you old mole , '' said the elder brother with a laugh .