About quarter past eight
Monday morning saw Nelson put to the test . Some of the boys gathered on the corner of High Street near the teacher 's lodging , whispering together and waiting for his appearance . It was said by some that Mr. Haley would not appear ; that he `` did n't dare show his head outside the door . '' About quarter past eight that morning there were many more people on the main street of the lakeside village than were usually visible at such an hour . Especially was there a large number of women , and it was notorious that on that particular Monday more housewives were late with their weekly wash than ever before in the annals of Polktown . `` Jefers-pelters ! '' muttered Walky Dexter , as he urged Josephus into High Street on his first trip downtown .