twelve o'clock
`` Can I see him now ? '' Mrs. McElroy took out her watch , and said , pleasantly , -- `` Are you particular about seeing him now ? I suppose you are not aware how late it is . '' `` Yes , '' he answered , `` it is twelve o'clock ; '' and his eye shone with a strange intelligence . `` I should have sent for him a year ago , had not my heart been so proud and bitter . But I know _ him _ . He 'll come now , if it is late . ''