ten o'clock
Funny story , is n't it , Sparrow ? '' Sparrow had not yet sufficiently recovered from his fright to reply , but it was evident by his looks he considered it anything but funny . However , the talk soon veered round to other and more ordinary topics , in the midst of which , aided by the remnants of our feast , the spirits even of Jim Sparrow revived , so much so that by bedtime he was as cheerful as if he had never even heard the name of Bubbles . Mr Jolliffe appeared on the scene as usual at ten o'clock , and read prayers . After which , advising us all to get a good night , and announcing that to-morrow being Christmas Day , we should not breakfast till nine , he trotted off to his quarters and left us . We were all pretty ready to take his advice , for what with a sixteen - mile run across country in the afternoon , and our big dinner in the evening , the thought of bed seemed rather a comfortable prospect . One or two of the fellows , however , fellows whom no exertion ever seemed to weary , protested against going to bed at ten o'clock , and took good care that those who did should n't sleep .