four o'clock
And the school speculated whether there was any one of their number , even Speug himself , who would dare to face Bulldog with a gift ; and whether , if he did , that uncompromising man might not occupy his last week of mastership in thrashing the school one by one , from the oldest unto the youngest , for their blazing impertinence . The closing day was a Thursday that year , and it was characteristic of Bulldog that he met his classes as usual on Wednesday , and when Howieson disgraced himself beyond usual in Euclid , having disgraced himself more moderately on four preceding days that he administered discipline on Jock with conscientious severity . Jock was the last boy Bulldog thrashed , and he was so lifted up as to be absolutely unendurable for the rest of the day , and boasted of the distinction for many a year . As four o'clock approached , the boys began to grow restless , and Bulldog 's own voice was not perfectly steady when he closed the last problem with Q. E. D. `` Q. E. D. ; yes , Q. E. D. , laddies , we have carried the argument to its conclusion according to the principles of things , and the book is finished . There is still seven minutes of the hour remaining , we will spend it in revising the work of the Senior Algebra Class . '' Their work has not been revised unto this day , for at that moment the door opened without any one knocking , and without any one offering an apology , and William Pirie , Master of Arts of Edinburgh , and scholar of Trinity College , Cambridge , and Duncan Robertson , 2nd Lieutenant in the Perthshire Buffs , made their appearance , accompanied by Bailie MacConachie , whose dignity was fearsome ; the Count , who waved his hand gracefully to the school , and Mr. McGuffie , who included everybody in an affable nod ; and behind this imposing deputation every boy of Muirtown Seminary who was not already in the mathematical class-room . Bulldog turned upon them like a lion caught in a snare , and if he had had only thirty seconds preparation , it is firmly believed he would have driven the whole deputation , old and young , out of the class-room and dealt with the conspirators who remained unto the setting of the sun .