twelve o'clock
This done , Miss Gwynne went her own erratic way , which led her over stiles , and through fields , and into various cottages , where she alternately scolded , lectured , and condoled , accordingly as she thought their inmates deserved the one or the other . She rarely left them , however , without giving some substantial proof of the interest she felt in their wants and trials , either by promises of food or clothing , or by money given then and there . She finally anchored in a pretty school-house that she had lately prevailed on her father to build , close by the Park , where she found Miss Hall patiently superintending the needlework of the girls . She gave two or three quick nods to the children , and they curtseyed and bowed on her entrance , and then told Miss Hall it was twelve o'clock , and she had had quite enough teaching for one morning . ` I do n't see what use it is having a school , if half the children are to stay away , ' she said to the mistress . ` It is the harvest , ma'am ; they stay at home to take care of the younger children ; that is why we have so few . ' ` Yes , and half go to the Dissenting schools ; I see them creeping out .