seven o’clock
It was long before Albert fell asleep ; for the cold kept up a continual fusillade , as of musketry , during the entire night . The woodwork of the walls snapped and cracked with loud reports ; and a little after midnight a servant came in and stuffed the stove full of birch-wood , until it roared like an angry lion . This roar finally lulled Albert to sleep , in spite of the startling noises about him . The next morning the boys were aroused at seven o'clock by a servant , who brought a tray with the most fragrant coffee and hot rolls . It was in honor of the guest that , in accordance with Norse custom , this early meal was served ; and all the boys , carrying pillows and blankets , gathered on Albert 's and Ralph 's bed and feasted right royally . So it seemed to them , at least ; for any break in the ordinary routine , be it ever so slight , is an event to the young . Then they had a pillow-fight , thawed at the stove the water in the pitchers -LRB- for it was frozen hard -RRB- , and arrayed themselves to descend and meet the family at the nine o'clock breakfast .