one P.M.
What was the character and degree of that friendship which sprang up between the freshmen Reding and Sheffield , we need not here minutely explain : it will be enough to say , that what they had in common was freshmanship , good talents , and the back staircase ; and that they differed in this -- that Sheffield had lived a good deal with people older than himself , had read much in a desultory way , and easily picked up opinions and facts , especially on controversies of the day , without laying anything very much to heart ; that he was ready , clear-sighted , unembarrassed , and somewhat forward : Charles , on the other hand , had little knowledge as yet of principles or their bearings , but understood more deeply than Sheffield , and held more practically , what he had once received ; he was gentle and affectionate , and easily led by others , except when duty clearly interfered . It should be added , that he had fallen in with various religious denominations in his father 's parish , and had a general , though not a systematic , knowledge of their tenets . What they were besides , will be seen as our narrative advances . It was a little past one P.M. when Sheffield , passing Charles 's door , saw it open . The college servant had just entered with the usual half-commons for luncheon , and was employed in making up the fire . Sheffield followed him in , and found Charles in his cap and gown , lounging on the arm of his easy-chair , and eating his bread and cheese . Sheffield asked him if he slept , as well as ate and drank , `` accoutred as he was . ''