eleven o'clock
Dr. Wilkinson 's high desk had been removed from the dais , and in its place stood a long table covered with a red cloth , on which were arranged a number of handsomely bound books of different sizes ; and in front of the dais , in a semicircular form , were placed the rows of seats for the boys . On each side of this semicircle , and behind and parallel with Dr. Wilkinson 's seat , was accommodation for the spectators . The room was in the most inviting order , and had been hung with garlands of flowers by the boys . At eleven o'clock the pupils assembled , and under the inspection of two of the under masters , seated themselves in the places assigned them , the little boys being placed in the front row . As the exact fate of each was unknown , though tolerably accurately guessed , there was much anxiety . Some of the youths were quite silent and pale , others endeavored to hide their agitation by laughing and talking quietly , and some affected to consider their nearest companion as more sure than themselves . Even Hamilton was not free from a little nervousness , and though he talked away to Vernon Digby , who was sitting by him , he cast more than one fidgety glance at the red-covered table , and perceptibly changed color when the class-room door opened to allow the long train of ladies and gentlemen to enter , and closed after Dr. Wilkinson , and a few of his particular friends , among whom were two great scholars who had assisted in the examination of the past week .