twelve o'clock
But thoughts of other people , some of whom were very dear to her , brought varying expressions , and once she smiled and said to herself , `` Roger Atwood now thinks , no doubt , that in me he has seen another ` ghost of a woman , ' weighing a little less than ` two hundred . ' Of all my little affairs of that nature , his was the most preposterous and absurd . That one human being should expect and seek from another what is so impossible to give produces a certain half-humorous irritation that is indescribable . '' Stout Mrs. Wheaton 's mind and fancy were not so busy as her hands , and when twelve o'clock came she knew the hour , although carrying no watch . She had interrupted Mildred 's musings from time to time , but had received rather absent replies , for the actual inception of a life of toil occasioned many thoughts . When , however , the practical woman remarked , `` I 've a hinside ` int that hit 's time we took a bite together , '' Mildred awakened to an honest and hungry approval of the suggestion . `` I do n't like to intrude upon you , Mrs. Wheaton , '' she said .