twelve o'clock
`` Plaise your worship '' -- John called me so , ever since I returned from London , firmly believing that the King had made me a magistrate at least ; though I was to keep it secret -- `` us zeed as how your worship were took with thinkin ' of King 's business , in the middle of the whate-rigg : and so uz zed , ` Latt un coom to his zell , us had better zave taime , by takking our dinner ' ; and here us be , praise your worship , and hopps no offence with thick iron spoon full of vried taties . '' I was glad enough to accept the ladle full of fried batatas , and to make the best of things , which is generally done by letting men have their own way . Therefore I managed to dine with them , although it was so early . For according to all that I can find , in a long life and a varied one , twelve o'clock is the real time for a man to have his dinner . Then the sun is at his noon , calling halt to look around , and then the plants and leaves are turning , each with a little leisure time , before the work of the afternoon . Then is the balance of east and west , and then the right and left side of a man are in due proportion , and contribute fairly with harmonious fluids . And the health of this mode of life , and its reclaiming virtue are well set forth in our ancient rhyme , -- `` Sunrise , breakfast ; sun high , dinner ; Sundown , sup ; makes a saint of a sinner . ''