Five minutes to twelve
Once June saw him covertly looking at his watch and she put both hands to her throat -- stifled . `` What time is it , Uncle Billy ? '' She tried to ask the question calmly , but she had to try twice before she could speak at all and when she did get the question out , her voice was only a broken whisper . `` Five minutes to twelve , baby , '' said the old man , and his voice had a gulp in it that broke June down . She sprang to her feet wringing her hands : `` I ca n't stand it , Uncle Billy , '' she cried madly , and with a sob that almost broke the old man 's heart . `` I tell you I ca n't stand it . '' * * * * * * * And yet for three hours more she had to stand it , while the cavalcade of Tollivers , with Rufe 's body , made its slow way to the Kentucky line where Judd and Dave and Bub left them to go home for the night and be on hand for the funeral next day .