about twelve o'clock
`` Well , my child , '' inquired his anxious father , `` what reply did he give ? '' `` He said , papa , '' returned the child , `` that he would give you a whole sack of potatoes with pleasure , but that , to send them in the open day , would be more than his life is worth -- he dare not do it . '' The old man looked up , then clasping his hands together , and glancing at his unhappy family , a few bitter tears rolled down his cheeks . `` But , '' added the boy , `` he said he would bring over as many as he could carry , about twelve o'clock to-night . '' `` Well , '' continued his father , `` that is civil ; and I believe , as to the danger , he is right . But , in the meantime , what is to be done ? I fear all the available sources of relief have been already exhausted , with the exception of heaven alone -- in which , my children , we must not permit anything to shake our trust .