midnight
the fortnight tested Basil and found him wanting . There were some excuses perhaps . It was very hot , and the half-yearly examinations were coming on . In his parents ' absence it had been arranged that he was to stay later at school so as to get his lessons done before coming home -- a very necessary precaution ; for without his mother at hand to keep him up to his work , it is to be doubted if the lessons would often have been finished before midnight ! Basil would not have gone to bed and left them undone -- that was not his way ; but he would have wasted three hours over what with energy and cheerfulness might have been well done in one . At school , under the eye of a master , this was less likely to occur -- the boy was to some extent _ forced _ to give his attention and keep up his spirit , though the master , whose business it was to superintend the lessons preparing , found his labours increased in no trifling way during the fortnight of Basil 's staying later . And when he got home after all this hard work , the boy felt inclined for a romp with Blanche , or a stroll in the garden , far more than for practising the violin !