two o'clock
`` You need never go back to the book-bindery , Dorothy , '' he managed to whisper again . At that moment they stepped aboard the steamer and started toward the upper deck . It had been a happy day for Dorothy , but a most miserable one for poor Jack . Contrary to his expectations , he finished the task allotted to him much sooner than he had anticipated , and by two o'clock he was ready to quit the book-bindery for the day . Hurrying home , he quickly changed his clothing , smiling the while as he thought of putting the wish into execution that had been in his heart all day , of joining the crowd up at West Point ; and how delighted Dorothy would be to see him -- what a surprise it would be to her ! His mother and his cousin watched him out of sight from their humble cottage door , and then turned back to their duties with a sigh . They had hoped that he would spend the day with them .