two o'clock
`` Yes , they thought that was great , '' said Bobby , shining and neat in his new suit . `` Hurry , Meg . '' `` Come early and get good seats , '' called Meg as they trotted off . At exactly two o'clock the whole school marched into the assembly room and took the seats reserved for them . The first and second grades were seated on the platform , because experience had taught the teachers that some of the younger children invariably fell either up or down the platform steps if they had anything at all to do with them . On one side of the platform the school committee sat , headed by Rufus Hornbeck . Bobby 's recitation followed the first song , and he and the five boys with him breathed a great sigh of relief when they were through and went back to their seats free to enjoy the rest of the afternoon .