twelve o'clock
For which I regret to state Dolly smartly boxed his ears . But the pung was ready , and Sam 's howls had to die out uncomforted . With many parting charges from Hannah about the fires and fowls , the cow , the hasty pudding , already put on for its long boil , and the turkey that hung from a string in front of the fire and must be watched well , since it was the Thanksgiving dinner , the `` weddingers , '' as Joe called them , were well packed in with blankets and hot stones and set off on their long drive . The day was fair and bright , the fields of snow purely dazzling ; but the cold was fearful , and in spite of all their wraps , the keen winds that whistled over those broad hilltops where the road lay seemed to pierce their very bones , and they were heartily glad to draw up , by twelve o'clock , at the door of the parsonage and be set before a blazing fire , and revived with sundry mugs of foaming and steaming flip , made potent with a touch of old peach brandy ; for in those ancient days , even in parsonages , the hot poker knew its office and sideboards were not in vain . There was food , also , for the exhausted guests , though the refection was slight and served informally in the kitchen corner , for the ceremonial Thanksgiving dinner was to be deferred till after the wedding . And as soon as all were warmed and refreshed they were ushered into the great parlour , where a Turkey carpet , amber satin curtains , spider-legged chairs and tables , and a vast carved sofa , cushioned also with amber , made a regal and luxurious show in the eyes of our rustic observers . But when Sylvy came in with the parson , who could look at furniture ?