noon
Now Emmy Lou had no idea what it meant -- `` examine further into your qualifications for this grade . '' It might be the form of punishment in vogue for the chastisement of the members of the First Reader . But `` stay after school '' she did understand , and her heart sank , and her little breast heaved . It was then past the noon recess . In those days , in this particular city , school closed at half-past one . At last the bell for dismissal had rung . The Large Lady , arms folded across her bombazine bosom , had faced the class , and with awesome solemnity had already enunciated , `` Attention , '' and sixty little people had sat up straight , when the door opened , and a teacher from the floor above came in .