noon
`` Next morning , '' says Mrs. Porter , `` I dared my crowd to see how long they could remain on the grounds , and yet reach the assembly room before the last toll of the bell . This scheme worked . Coming in so late the principal opened exercises without remembering my paper . Again , at noon , I was as late as I dared be , and I escaped until near the close of the exercises , through which I sat in cold fear . When my name was reached at last the principal looked at me inquiringly and then announced my inspiring mathematical subject . I arose , walked to the front , and made my best bow . Then I said : ` I waited until yesterday because I knew absolutely nothing about my subject ' -- the audience laughed -- ` and I could find nothing either here or in the library at home , so last night I reviewed Saintine 's masterpiece , `` Picciola . '' '