the children were all agog (with excitement)
1a|gog — «uh GOG», adjective, adverb. –adj. full of expectation or excitement; eager; curious; excited: »The children were all agog to see their presents. –adv. with eagerness, curiosity, or excitement. ╂[< Middle French en gogues in good humor] …
2Charles Peace — Charles Frederick Peace (14 May 1832 – 25 February 1879) was a notorious English burglar and murderer from Sheffield, whose somewhat remarkable life later spawned dozens of romanticised novels and films. Peace is mentioned by name in the Sherlock …
