ten o'clock
He held in his hand a copy of a St. Louis morning paper of the morning previous , and was reading its columns , while sipping a cup of coffee at his side . A boy of seventeen entered the room . `` You are very late , Jasper , '' said his father , consulting his watch . `` Ca n't you get to breakfast earlier than ten o'clock , sir ? '' Jasper was dark and effeminate in appearance , not strong and sturdy , nor had he the look of self-reliance and calm power which characterized our hero , who was his cousin . He was smooth , deceitful , and vain , running to dissipation , as far as he had opportunity . `` I was tired , sir , '' he answered .