noon
Then he spoke summat to her that was there to forgive him and help him over the stile ` twixt this field and it that 's Beyond and Away , which made her cry out in pain and say that he must fix his thoughts on other things . And she prayed out loud for him , for he would have no parson there . She prayed and prayed as never priest or parson prayed , and at last he got quiet and still , and , when she stopped praying , he did not speak or open his eyes for a longish while . But when the old clock on the stable was striking twelve , he opened his eyes wide , and when it had stopped , he said : ` It is always twelve by the clock that stops at noon . I 've done no good . I 've earned my end . ' He looked as though he was waiting for the clock to go on striking , half raising himself up in bed , with Miss Faith 's arm under his head .