eight in
the evening
He had his own reasons for being delighted , for the master boarded in his father 's family and had given the boy ample cause to hate him . The master 's wife would go on a visit to the country in a few days , and there would be nothing to interfere with the plan ; the master always prepared himself for great occasions by getting pretty well fuddled , and the signpainter 's boy said that when the dominie had reached the proper condition on Examination Evening he would `` manage the thing '' while he napped in his chair ; then he would have him awakened at the right time and hurried away to school . In the fulness of time the interesting occasion arrived . At eight in the evening the schoolhouse was brilliantly lighted , and adorned with wreaths and festoons of foliage and flowers . The master sat throned in his great chair upon a raised platform , with his blackboard behind him . He was looking tolerably mellow . Three rows of benches on each side and six rows in front of him were occupied by the dignitaries of the town and by the parents of the pupils .