nearly noon
`` Now take it , '' he growled at Archie , when he had gone a furrow 's length , `` and see ef ye can do better this time . Remember , not a bite of dinner do ye get until this field is ploughed . '' Poor Archie was weak from fright , but there was nothing to do but to obey . He looked at the vast field before him , and made up his mind that he would get nothing to eat until night , anyhow , for it was already nearly noon . He felt very much like bursting into tears , but he was too proud to give way to his feelings . But he could n't help wishing that he were at home , playing with the members of the Hut Club . `` Those boys are much better off than I am , '' he said , over and over , `` though they have made no effort to improve themselves . ''