Noon
A known punishment may be anticipated with some measure of equanimity ; at least , the prisoner may prepare himself to undergo it ; but the unknown looms more monstrous for every attempt to guess it . Penrod 's crime was unique ; there were no rules to aid him in estimating the vengeance to fall upon him for it . What seemed most probable was that he would be expelled from the schools in the presence of his family , the mayor , and council , and afterward whipped by his father upon the State House steps , with the entire city as audience by invitation of the authorities . Noon came . The rows of children filed out , every head turning for a last unpleasingly speculative look at the outlaw . Then Miss Spence closed the door into the cloakroom and that into the big hall , and came and sat at her desk , near Penrod . The tramping of feet outside , the shrill calls and shouting and the changing voices of the older boys ceased to be heard -- and there was silence .