twelve o'clock
I should be very much obliged to you . '' `` Then I will recommend your wares to those who are able to buy them ; and I trust you will drive a large trade in the mouse business . '' The doctor went away ; and Leo , encouraged by the promise of the powerful influence of his visitor , resumed his work . At twelve o'clock , when Maggie called him to dinner , he had made considerable progress in the four houses in process of construction . When he had finished his noonday meal , he went out and found Tom Casey , an Irish boy whom he had befriended in various ways . Tom agreed to go with him to State Street ; and the new `` HOTEL DES MICE '' -- as it was labelled in large letters on the front gable -- was loaded upon a little wagon of Leo 's build , and they started for the busy street , attended by a crowd of curious youngsters , of both sexes and of all conditions . -LSB- Illustration : LEO STARTS FOR STATE STREET .