about two o'clock
Jerome wriggled under the man 's detaining grasp , as wirily instinct with nerves as a cat ; he kicked out viciously at his shins . `` Lord ! I 'd as lief try to hold a catamount , '' cried Jake Noyes , laughing , and released him , and Jerome raced out of the yard . It was then about two o'clock . He should have gone home to his planting , but his childish patience was all gone . Poor little Jack had been worsted by the giant , and his bean-garden might as well be neglected . Human strength may endure heavy disappointments and calamities with heroism , but it requires superhuman power to hold one 's hand to the grindstone of petty duties and details of life in the midst of them .