quarter past twelve
Keturah says she is certain it was Tuesday , because she remembers smelling the boiled cabbage as she stood at the side door , looking up the road to see if either Asaph or Bailey was coming . As for Bailey , he says he remembers being late to dinner and his wife 's `` startin ' to heave a broadsides into him '' because of it , but he does n't remember what day it was . This is n't surprising ; Keturah 's verbal cannonades are likely to make one forgetful of trifles . At any rate , whether Tuesday or Wednesday , it is certain that it was quarter past twelve , according to the clock presented to the Methodist Society by the Honorable Heman Atkins , when Asaph Tidditt came down the steps of the townhall , after the selectmen 's meeting , and saw Bailey Bangs waiting for him on the opposite side of the road . `` Hello , Ase ! '' hailed Mr. Bangs . `` You 'll be late to dinner , if you do n't hurry .