twelve o'clock
I guess you 'll like her when you know her once . '' `` Mebbe so , '' was the unpromising answer as she slipped the straps of a blue checked apron over her shoulders , buttoned it in the back and took her place at the table . Breakfast at the Metz farm was no light meal . Between the early morning meal and the twelve o'clock dinner much hard work was generally accomplished and Maria Metz felt that a substantial foundation was necessary . Accordingly , she carried to the big , square cherry table in the kitchen an array of well-filled dishes . There was always a glass dish of stewed prunes or seasonable fresh fruit ; a plate piled high with thick slices of home-made bread ; several dishes of spreadings , as the jellies , preserves or apple-butter of that community are called . There was a generous square of home-made butter , a platter of home-cured ham or sausage , a dish of fried or creamed potatoes , a smaller dish of pickles or beets , and occasionally a dome of glistening cup cheese .