three o'clock
It seemed to him that it was about three days before noontime came . At last they were dismissed , and the Twins went out with the other children into the schoolyard to eat their luncheon . Dennis ate his with them , and Larry told him the Secret . After lunch they went back into the dark , smoky little schoolroom for more lessons , and when three o'clock came , how glad they were to go dancing out into the sunshine again , and walk home along the familiar road , with the air sweet about them , and the little birds singing in the fields . For many weeks Eileen and Larry kept the Secret . They told no one but Dennis and Grannie Malone , and they both promised they would never , never tell . Mr McQueen worked hard -- early and late -- over his turnips and cabbages and potatoes , and Larry and Eileen helped by feeding the pig and chickens , and driving the cows along the roadsides , where they could get fresh sweet grass to eat .