noon
This seemed doubtful on the morrow after he had realized the nature of his surroundings . He was set to work in a large room full of men , boys , and slatternly-dressed girls . He was both scolded and laughed at for the inevitable awkwardness of a new beginner , and soon his name and history began to be whispered about . During the noon recess a rude fellow flung the epithet of `` jail-bird '' at him , and , of course , it stuck like a burr . Never in all his life had he made such an effort at self-control as that which kept his hands off this burly tormentor . He both puzzled and annoyed his companions . They knew that he did not belong to their class , and his bearing and manner made them unpleasantly conscious of his superiority ; and yet all believed themselves so much more respectable than he , that they felt it was a wrong to them that he should be there at all .