half past twelve
He was a little uncertain about his dinner . It was the custom to board carpenters when they were working on a farm , but this farm was so near town , possibly Mrs. Miner would not think it necessary . He decided , however , to wait till one o'clock , to be sure . At half past twelve , a man came in out of the field with a team -- a short man , with curly hair , curly chin beard , and mustache . He walked with a little swagger , and his legs were slightly bowed . Morris called him `` a little feller , '' and catalogued him by the slant on his hat . `` Say , '' called Morris suddenly , `` wo n't you come up here and help me raise my staging ? ''