twelve o'clock
If I ever have a chance to serve you , do n't hesitate to let me know it . '' `` There 'll be a storm if Mr. Holden hears of this , '' thought Herbert . `` But I could not do otherwise . '' At twelve o'clock Abner Holden returned home , still in good humor . As he did not anticipate another call from his expected customer until the afternoon , he made no inquiries . `` Perhaps he wo n't hear about it , '' thought Herbert , and as he did not wish to have any trouble with Mr. Holden , he hoped it might prove so . Abner was so elated at the thought of his good bargain in prospect , that he could not keep it to himself .