noon
Miss Leece was about to continue the lesson when Jessica , pale and trembling , rose and followed her friend . Nora was next to go and in another moment there was not a girl left in the algebra class except Miriam and her four particular friends . The gong sounded as the last pupil closed the door behind her , but there was little doubt that the first class in algebra had gone on a strike . The noon recess gong had sounded before the girls were able to meet and talk about the incident , and , during the time that intervened , Anne had received a summons in the form of a small note to meet the principal in her office at three that afternoon . She said nothing to her friends , however , and hid the envelope in her pocket . The girls in IV . algebra gathered around their friends to hear the story .