noon
interrupted old Martha , putting her hand to her ear and wrinkling her brow interrogatively . `` That I 'm grieved , mother , at not being able to help in building the new lighthouse , '' shouted her son , in a voice that might have split an ordinary ear . Old Martha 's visage relaxed into a faint smile as she turned towards the fire and looked earnestly at it , as if for explanation or consolation . `` Ay ay , '' she muttered , `` it would have bin strange if you had n't wished that ; you was always up to mischief , Tommy ; always ; or else wishin ' to be up to it , although you might know as well as I know myself , that if you did get leave to go hout to the Rock -LRB- which you 're for ever wantin ' to do -RRB- , it would be wet feet an dirty pinafores mornin ' , noon , an ' night , which it 's little you care for that , you bad boy , though it causes me no end of washin ' an ' dryin ' , -- ay ay ! '' The old woman looked up in the smiling countenance of her stalwart son , and becoming apparently a little confused by reminiscences of the past and evidences of the present , retired within herself and relapsed into silence . `` Well , sur , '' continued Teddy , `` just give a look down if you can ; it 's worth your while . Mr Smeaton means to have every stone cut in the yard here on shore , and to lay down each ` course ' in the yard too , to be sure that it all fits , for we 'll have no time out at the Rock to correct mistakes or make alterations .