twelve o'clock
There was some wild talk during the hour , and a dozen stories were afloat by afternoon . Next morning it was boldly said that Bulldog was ill , and some , who did not know what truth was , asserted that he was in bed , and challenged Nestie to deny the slander . That ingenious young gentleman replied vaguely but politely , and veiled the whole situation in such a mist of irrelevant detail that the school went in for the second day to the class-room rejoicing with trembling , and not at all sure whether Bulldog might not arrive in a carriage and pair , possibly with a large comforter round his throat , but otherwise full of spirits and perfectly fit for duty . It was only after the twelve o'clock break and a searching cross-examination of Nestie that the school could believe in the goodness of Providence , and felt like the Children of Israel on the other bank of the Red Sea . Some were for celebrating their independence in the North Meadow and treating Mr. Byles with absolute contempt ; but there were others who judged with some acuteness that they could have the North Meadow any day , but they might never again have a full hour in the mathematical class-room without Bulldog . There seemed a certain fitness in holding the celebration amid the scenes of labour and discipline , and the mathematical class went in to wait on Mr. Byles 's instruction in high spirits and without one missing . It is true that the Dowbiggins showed for the first time some reluctance in attending to their studies , but it was pointed out to them in a very firm and persuasive way by Speug that it would be disgraceful for them to be absent when Bulldog was ill , and that the class could not allow such an act of treachery .