six o'clock
`` I have never known a girl to need assistance in getting a ream of paper , '' the teacher replied severely , `` especially so big a girl as Ilga . '' A titter ran through the room , and an uncontrollable smile flickered on Polly 's lips . Nettled by this show of levity , for which she discerned no cause , Miss Carpenter 's sentence upon the supposed culprit was instant and merciless . `` Go to your seat , and stay there until six o'clock ! '' Hands waved frantically , David 's and Patricia 's wildly beat the air ; but the young teacher either was too much occupied with her visitors or did not choose to notice , and the would-be defenders were soon called to recitation . Polly sat still in her chair , dazed by the suddenness and injustice of it . She had meant only to spare Ilga further mortification -- and had lost her expected treat .