one o'clock
But , if they had , Dr. Thornton would have admitted the joke good-humoredly and would have taken outside chaffing with a good nature that would have disarmed all wit aimed at him . Mr. Cantwell , as will be seen , lacked the saving grace of a sense of humor . He also lacked ability in handling full-blooded , fun-loving boys . Wednesday , just before one o'clock , the principal electrified the assembled students by saying , in a voice that was ominously quiet and cool : `` When school is dismissed I shall be glad to have Mr. Prescott remain for a few words with me . '' `` Now it 's coming , '' thought Dick , though without any particular thrill of dismay . He waited while the others filed out . Somehow the big building did n't empty as fast as usual .