twelve o'clock
Slegge said it was all `` bosh ; '' for fifty years ago a boy at school had not learned to declare that everything which did not suit his taste was `` rot . '' So Slegge stood leaning up against the playground wall with a supercilious sneer upon his lip , and said it was all `` bosh , '' and only fit for children . The other fellows , he said , might make idiots of themselves if they liked , he should stop in and read ; for Dr Bewley , DD , Principal of the world-famed establishment -- a grey , handsome , elderly gentleman in the truest sense of the word -- had smilingly said after grace at breakfast that when he was a boy he used to take a great deal of interest in natural history , and that he presumed his pupils would feel much the same as he did , and would have no objection to setting aside their classical and mathematical studies for the morning and watching the entrance of the procession when it entered the town at twelve o'clock . The boys , who were all standing and waiting for the Doctor to leave the dining-hall , gave a hearty cheer at this ; and as the ragged volley died out , after being unduly prolonged by the younger pupils , instead of crossing to the door from the table , the Doctor continued , turning to the mathematical master : `` I think , Mr Morris , you might be kind enough to tell Wrench to get the boy to help him and place a line of forms by the wall , so that the young gentlemen can enjoy the privilege of having a prolonged private box above the crowd ; or , shall I say , a high bank in this modern form of the classic amphitheatre ? '' `` Hear , hear ! '' said Mr Rampson , the heavy , solid-looking classical master , impressed by the Principal 's allusion to the Roman sports ; and he grumbled out something in a subdued voice , with his eyes shut .