three o'clock
Even now they might have escaped , but that in the porch , barring retreat , appeared the crafty wheelwright , who had been watching all their proceedings . So they were seized , the school dismissed , and Tom and Jacob led away to Squire Brown as lawful prize , the boys following to the gate in groups , and speculating on the result . The Squire was very angry at first , but the interview , by Tom 's pleading , ended in a compromise . Tom was not to go near the school till three o'clock , and only then if he had done his own lessons well , in which case he was to be the bearer of a note to the master from Squire Brown ; and the master agreed in such case to release ten or twelve of the best boys an hour before the time of breaking up , to go off and play in the close . The wheelwright 's adzes and swallows were to be for ever respected ; and that hero and the master withdrew to the servants ' hall to drink the Squire 's health , well satisfied with their day 's work . The second act of Tom 's life may now be said to have begun . The war of independence had been over for some time : none of the women now -- not even his mother 's maid -- dared offer to help him in dressing or washing .