half past nine o'clock
Master Langdon took his seat and began the exercises of his school . The smaller boys recited their lessons well enough , but some of the larger ones were negligent and surly . He noticed one or two of them looking toward the door , as if expecting somebody or something in that direction . At half past nine o'clock , Abner Briggs , Junior , who had not yet shown himself , made his appearance . He was followed by his `` yallah dog , '' without his muzzle , who squatted down very grimly near the door , and gave a wolfish look round the room , as if he were considering which was the plumpest boy to begin with . The young butcher , meanwhile , went to his seat , looking somewhat flushed , except round the lips , which were hardly as red as common , and set pretty sharply . `` Put out that dog , Abner Briggs ! ''