noon
`` I vote we do so . '' `` So do I. '' And thus it was decided that they should return to the academy four days later . But during those four days something was to happen which would have an important bearing upon their future actions . The next day , shortly after noon , it began to rain , and the storm increased in violence until the wind blew almost a gale . The rain kept the boys indoors , at which Tom was inclined to grumble . `` No use of grumbling , Tom , '' said Dick cheerfully . `` Let us improve the time by looking over our school books .