twelve
o'clock
He took off his apron , and washed his hands . Tom Gavitt followed his example , but did n't go into the house of his employer . He lived in a house of his own about five minutes ' walk distant , but left the shop at the same time . In a country village the general dinner hour is twelve o'clock -- a very unfashionably early hour -- but I presume any of my readers who had been at work from seven o'clock would have no difficulty in getting up a good appetite at noon . Robert went in and informed his mother of the new boarder . It made no difference , for the table was always well supplied . `` This is Harry Walton , mother , '' said Mr. Leavitt , `` our new apprentice .