four
o'clock
`` Right-o ! We 'll cast ourselves on the charity of the form ! '' agreed Ingred . The Fifth-form Fête By a general indulgence issued from head-quarters , the dismissal bell rang at 3:45 the next Friday afternoon , instead of , as usual , at four o'clock . The mistresses entered up the marks , put away their books , said `` Good afternoon , girls ! '' and made their exit , leaving the building for once in the sole possession of the pupils . Miss Strong , indeed , who disapproved of the whole business , took the precaution of locking her desk before her departure , a proceeding which provoked indignant sniffs from the witnesses ; but , sublimely indifferent to public opinion , she put the key in her pocket , and stalked from the room .