eleven o'clock
I was devoid of selfishness and prejudice ; and as society is constituted , one commences life with a bad start , destitute of such accomplishments . Of the seven days in the week , probably more flogging occurs on Friday than during all the others put together . On the unfortunate , the shuffling , and the dense , the effect of this day 's ordeal has ever proved to be most searching . On Thursday , then , towards the conclusion of eleven o'clock school , the boys were not a little delighted , when Keate , closing the book , informed them that an hour since he had been honoured with a request from his Majesty that the morrow might be converted into a whole holiday , and that they should be indulged accordingly . It need hardly be stated with what yells of ecstasy this announcement was received , as we rushed from our seats , lightened of the sombre dread of `` Friday 's business . '' In the evening , I was summoned to the tea-table of Gregory , my puissant master , to account , if I could , for my presumptuous absence at a time when every fag 's presence was so imperatively required . On my appearance , my fellow-fag was astonished at the air of confidence with which I advanced towards the table , guilty of such a heinous omission .