noon
The poor little building was scarcely recognisable when it emerged from its baptism of soapy water and whitewash . The big girls added an artistic touch by decorating the spotless walls with cedar boughs , until the place smelled as sweet as the swamps of the Oro ; and to crown all , the minister presented it with a fine picture of Queen Victoria to be hung above the master 's desk . And this was the immaculate condition of the place where , when his dinner was finished , Scotty 's roving eye sought something upon which to work off his burning indignation . It had always been the custom heretofore in Number Nine to employ the noon recess tearing round the room in a cloud of dust , yelling , throwing ink and breaking furniture . But to-day the awe of the new master had had a restraining influence , and most of the wilder spirits had betaken themselves to an outdoor campaign . So there were only a few of the smaller pupils and the larger girls grouped round the stove when Scotty started his new enterprise . The cedar wreath above the door was quite dry and rather dusty and offered a fine field for a unique exploit .