twelve o'clock noon
`` Why -- why , I kinda hoped it was something like that , '' he murmured ; and he was talking more to himself than to Denny . `` I kinda hoped it was -- but I never had no reason to believe it . '' His voice lifted until it was its shriller , more natural falsetto . `` I would n't ` a ' believed myself today , at twelve o'clock noon , '' he stated flatly . `` No , sir-e-e ! After takin ' stock of myself , as you might say , the way I done this morning , I would n't ` a ' believed myself on oath ! '' His feet dropped noisily to the floor , and he sat bolt upright again .