eleven o'clock
They were determined to resist the new rule . When a mistress , under orders from the principal , came into the playground , broke up groups of girls , and insisted upon all joining in a common game of rounders , the seniors hit the ball feebly , walked instead of running , and plainly showed that they did not mean to be coerced against their will . Their example spread downwards . It was at once fashionable to be a `` slacker '' or `` shirker '' , and the unfortunate mistress who was told off to superintend the playground during eleven o'clock `` break '' had a bad time of it . With the knowledge that Miss Ormerod was peeping from her study window she made valiant efforts to set games going , but forced play is very different from the real article , and her attempts generally ended in dismal failure . Whether Miss Tatham , resting in the sunshine of Torquay , received a hint of the situation is uncertain . Lesbia , however , who had sent her a picture post card , one day received a letter in return .