twelve o'clock
By using glasses the travelers could see crowds on the earth watching their progress in the air , and , though airships , dirigible balloons and aeroplanes are getting fairly common now , the appearance of one as novel and as large as the Red Cloud could always be depended upon to attract attention . `` Well , what do you say to something to eat ? '' proposed Mr. Sharp , coming into the main cabin , from the motor compartment . `` It 's twelve o'clock , though we ca n't hear the factory whistles up , here . '' `` I 'm ready , any time you are , '' called Tom , from the pilot house . `` Shall I cook grub , Mr. Sharp ? '' `` No , you manage the ship , and I 'll play cook .