twelve o'clock
`` There are many English volunteers who have already crossed the sea to fight against these murderers , although unconnected by ties of blood as I am , and who have been brought here to fight solely from pity and horror , and because , as all know , Spain is the enemy of England as well as of the Netherlands , and would put down our freedom and abolish our religion as she has done here . I know that my wishes , in this as in all other matters , must give way to those of my father . Still I hope he may be moved to consent to them . '' Ned thought it better to allow his father and mother to remain quietly together for some time , and did not therefore return to the house until twelve o'clock , when he knew that dinner would be prepared ; for his mother was so methodical in her ways that everything would go on just as at home directly she took charge of the affairs of the house . He went up for a few minutes before dinner , and was struck with the change in the expression of his father 's face . There was a peaceful and contented look in his eyes , and it almost seemed to Ned that his face was less hollow and drawn than before . Ned told him that it would be necessary for the brig to go round to Leyden and the Hague , and that Peters had proposed that he should go with him to see the merchants , and arrange the business parts of the affair .