ten o'clock
He went out for a walk , which consisted of one mile east and another west from the village , and , with pauses , during which he rested on gates and looked from him , lasted two hours . On his return he explained to Sarah that his health had received much benefit , and that she was not to be surprised if he went out every morning at or before daybreak . He also mentioned casually that he was to dine at the manse that day , and Sarah , who had been alarmed lest this unexpected virtue might mean illness , was at rest . His habit was to linger over breakfast , propping a book against the sugar basin , and taking it and his rasher slice about , which was , he insisted , the peculiar joy of a bachelor 's breakfast ; but this morning Sarah found him at ten o'clock still at table , gazing intently at an untouched cutlet , and without any book . He swallowed two mouthfuls hurriedly and hastened to the study , leaving her to understand that he had been immersed in a theological problem . It seemed only reasonable that a man should have one pipe before settling down to a forenoon of hard study , but there is no doubt that the wreaths of smoke , as they float upwards , take fantastic shapes , and lend themselves to visions . Twelve o'clock -- it was outrageous -- six hours gone without a stroke of work .