four o’clock
What was to be done ? And the boys declared that if it should come to their father 's knowledge , Hal , who had given up their names , should certainly not be shielded by them . In fact , he , who had done the deed , was the only one who ought to pay . The sound of the servants ' dinner-bell at the Park broke up the consultation ; the boys must not be missed at luncheon ; and they therefore separated , agreeing to meet at that same place at four o'clock , to hear the result of Hal 's negotiation with the farmer ; for neither of the Grevilles would hear of helping him to face the enemy . Poor Hal plodded home disconsolately . Once he thought of telling Sam , and asking his help ; but Sam would be so much shocked at such a scrape at such a time , as possibly to lick him for it before helping him . Indeed Hal did not see much chance of Sam being able to do anything for them ; and he had too often boasted over his elder brother to like to abase himself by such a confession -- when , too , it would almost be owning how much better it would have been to have followed Sam 's advice and have gone safely to church .