twelve o'clock
Sallie 's cross , but she ca n't help it . She used to be one of the ` fainters . ' Yes ; that 's right . Now all there is , is to keep at it till twelve o'clock whistle . '' That meant nearly five hours of the steadiest and most difficult labor which Amy had ever undertaken . Yet these others near her , and the crowds of spinners all through the great apartment , appeared to take this labor very easily , and were even able to carry on a conversation amid the deafening noise . Amy watched so intently , and tried so faithfully to do just what and all that was expected of her that she did , indeed , make a rapid progress for one beginning ; and when the welcome whistle sounded , she was surprised to see how instantly every frame was stopped , and to hear Mary saying : -- `` If you do n't want to go with anybody else , I 'd admire to have you eat your lunch with me . ''