nearly noon
`` Yes 'm , '' said I , meekly , and followed her up stairs . But though my heart was heavy with shame , I could not help thinking , `` What orful tastin ' perserves ! '' and wondering if aunt Persis really was crazy , as Tempy Ann said she was . Miss Rubie had had reason to think before that some of the children went to those jars , but she did not say so ; she merely remarked , -- `` It is nearly noon , children ; you may lay aside your books now , and , if you like , I will tell you a story . '' Everybody was pleased but me . I wanted to go home . The story was from the text , `` Thou , God , seest me . ''