one o'clock
` Nay , nay , ' cried the farmer ; ` you 'll have dinner , at least , before you go . ` Twill be ready soon , and I 'd take it very onkindly if you left us without bite or sup . ' At this moment Mrs. Hardy came in , and thanked the clever scouts warmly for the great service they had rendered . She seconded her husband 's invitation , and as one o'clock struck in thin chimes from a tall eight-day clock , they sat down to a plentiful dinner . Over the meal the talk turned on the journey the scouts were making , and the farmer and his wife were deeply interested in their adventures . ` But look here , now , ' said Mr. Hardy ; ` this fine piece of work you 've done for us -- and we shall never forget it -- has fetched you out of your way , and cost you a lot of time . ' ` We 'll make it up before dark , ' said Dick .