noon
Archie 's heart rose to his throat as he saw this paragon so devout in church . He felt like rising in his seat and denouncing him before all the people as a tyrant and a hard-hearted wretch . But he kept quiet , though he found it impossible to partake of the communion under such circumstances . The Tinches had brought their dinner with them , and at noon they all sat on one of the grassy mounds in the churchyard , to take some refreshment before the afternoon service began . When they had finished , Archie wandered off , and came to a crowd of boys who were romping behind the church . When they saw him approach , they all stopped their noise , and looked at him wonderingly . Evidently they were not used to seeing strange boys .