twelve o'clock
He felt that it was Robert 's duty , even though he had been accepted , to retire from the field as soon as his , Halbert 's , desire was known . This Robert had expressly declined to do , and Halbert felt very indignant . He made up his mind that he would give Robert a chance to apologize , and if he declined to do so he would do what he could to get him turned out of the factory . At twelve o'clock the factory bell pealed forth a welcome sound to the hundreds who were busily at work within the great building . It was the dinner hour , and a throng of men , women and children poured out of the great portals and hastened to their homes or boarding houses to dine . Among them was Robert Rushton . As he was walking homeward with his usual quick , alert step , he came upon Halbert Davis , at the corner of the street .