four o'clock
Only think how we 'd hate to be tied like that -- '' But Perry Larson , with a stare and an indignant snort , had got to his feet , and was rapidly walking toward the house . Very plainly , that evening , David was in disgrace , and it took all of Mrs. Holly 's tact and patience , and some private pleading , to keep a general explosion from wrecking all chances of his staying longer at the farmhouse . Even as it was , David was sorrowfully aware that he was proving to be a great disappointment so soon , and his violin playing that evening carried a moaning plaintiveness that would have been very significant to one who knew David well . Very faithfully , the next day , the boy tried to carry out all the `` dos , '' and though he did not always succeed , yet his efforts were so obvious , that even the indignant owner of the liberated crow was somewhat mollified ; and again Simeon Holly released David from work at four o'clock . Alas , for David 's peace of mind , however ; for on his walk to-day , though he found no captive crow to demand his sympathy , he found something else quite as heartrending , and as incomprehensible . It was on the edge of the woods that he came upon two boys , each carrying a rifle , a dead squirrel , and a dead rabbit . The threatened rain of the day before had not materialized , and David had his violin .