noon
He came back with a sorry-looking countenance . `` I am afraid everything is soaked beyond recovery . '' He was almost on the verge of tears . Before noon the rain abated somewhat , but the winds still blew strongly , and when they ventured out to take stock of their surroundings , George was the first to notice the disappearance of the flag on Observation Hill . Rushing in to the Professor , he cried : `` Our flag is gone . '' Harry was at the boathouse , and when George went down to inform him of the new calamity , he was almost heart-broken . The Professor , however , was not in the least perturbed .