noon
He was received very kindly by the family , and permitted to go up to the empty schoolroom and take his choice among all the vacant seats , and to make the freest use of the school library , maps , globes , and instruments . Ishmael moved his own desk up under one of the delightful windows , and there he sat day after day at hard study . He did not trouble Mr. Middleton much ; whenever it was possible to do so by any amount of labor and thought , he puzzled out all his problems and got over all his difficulties alone . He kept up the old school hours ; punctually , and exactly at noon , he laid aside his books and went out on the lawn for an hour 's recreation before lunch . There he often met his young friends , and always saw Claudia . It was Miss Merlin 's good pleasure to approve and encourage this poor but gifted youth ; and she took great credit , to herself for her condescension . She seemed to herself like some high and mighty princess graciously patronizing some deserving young peasant .