noon
`` This is disgraceful ! '' she exclaimed . `` We are in a school-room , not in a goose-pond , nor in a den of snakes . I want every one who has hissed to remain here when school closes at noon . '' But it was not until after the opening exercises had been concluded , and the younger children had gone out to the room of the assistant teacher , that she found an opportunity to read Colonel Butler 's letter . It did help her out , as Pen had said it would . She resolved to act immediately upon the request contained in it , before calling any classes .