twelve
o'clock
But , then , all at once it occurred to him -- for evil suggestions are sure to be made to us when we are in the way to receive them -- that it would be just as easy to say that a boy threw a stone , which struck him as he was walking along the street , as to say that he got hurt while in the woods . And , without stopping to think how wicked it would be to tell a lie , Richard determined to make this statement when he got home . The smarting of the wound , and the uneasiness occasioned by a sight of the blood , so disturbed Richard 's feelings , that he was unable to regain enough composure of mind to enjoy his day of freedom in the woods . By twelve o'clock , he was tired and hungry , and heartily wished himself at home . But it would not do to go now ; for if he were to do so , his father would understand that he had not been to school . There was no alternative for him but to remain out in the lonely woods , without any thing to eat , for five hours longer . And a weary time it was for him .