twelve o'clock
The little boys trembled . Lads by fifteens and twenties wanted to go out under various pretences . The big boys looked very serious and very resolved . It was twelve o'clock , and some thirty or forty -- myself always included -- were duly flogged , it being `` his custom at the hour of noon . '' When the periodical operation was over , at which there was much spargefication of powder from his whitened head , he commanded silence . Even the flagellated boys contrived to hush up their sobs , the shuffling of feet ceased , those who had colds refrained from blowing their noses ; and , after one boy was flogged for coughing , he thus delivered himself : -- `` Young gentlemen , it has been customary -- customary it has been , I say -- for you to have permission to make a bonfire in the lower field , and display your fireworks , on this anniversary of the fifth of November . Little boys , take your dictionaries , and look out for the word ` anniversary . ' ''