twelve o'clock
Peoria was young and greedy , and thought the remedy so much worse than the disease that she set up a deafening howl at the projected bargain -- a howl so rebellious and so out of all season that her mother started in her direction with flashing eye and uplifted hand ; but she let it fall suddenly , saying , `` No , I wo n't lick ye Christmas day , if yer drive me crazy ; but speak up smart , now , 'n say whether yer 'd ruther give Tim Cullen half yer candy or go bare-legged ter the party ? '' The matter being put so plainly , Peoria collected her faculties , dried her tears and chose the lesser evil , Clem having hastened the decision by an affectionate wink , that meant he 'd go halves with her on his candy . `` That 's a lady ; '' cried her mother . `` Now , you young ones that ai n't doin ' nothin ' , play all yer want ter before noontime , for after ye git through eatin ' at twelve o'clock me 'n Sarah Maud 's goin ' ter give yer such a washin ' an ' combin ' an ' dressin ' as yer never had before an ' never will agin , an ' then I 'm goin ' to set yer down an ' give yer two solid hours trainin ' in manners ; an ' ` two n't be no foolin ' neither . '' `` All we 've got ter do 's go eat ! '' grumbled Peter . `` Well , that 's enough , '' responded his mother ; `` there 's more 'n one way of eatin ' , let me tell yer , an ' you 've got a heap ter learn about it , Peter Ruggles .