two hours
after noon
Oyez ! '' Three times the phrase had to be repeated . Faithful would not have done his duty if he had only repeated it twice . `` This is to give notice , in the name of his majesty and of his excellency , the governor , that all true and faithful residents of the Green Mountain district must assemble at the courthouse at two hours after noon , on this second day of January . So let it be ! '' That was all , but it was enough to set all the people wondering what was to be heard at the courthouse . They returned to their homes , and finished their dinners , scarcely noticing that the dumplings were cold or that the boiled carrots had got soggy through long standing .