six o'clock
said Miss Brown to the two or three older pupils , `` what can we do ? '' `` I do n't see as we can do anything except keep him out of here till men come to look for us , '' said the oldest boy , who was about fourteen , and used to the ways of the country . `` And that wo n't be , '' said Miss Brown , `` till they are alarmed because we do n't get home . '' `` Yes , '' said the boy ; `` not before five or six o'clock . We 're often that late getting home . '' This was a dreary prospect , indeed , and wails and cries began again to fill the room . Miss Brown saw that she must rouse herself and quell the panic before it got beyond bounds .