twelve
o'clock noon
`` No , you see , eight bells is the highest number . It is eight bells at eight o'clock , at four o'clock and at twelve -- either at night , or in the daytime . '' `` Oh , I 'm sure I 'll never learn that , '' sighed Amy . `` It is very simple , '' explained Betty , `` Now it is eight bells -- twelve o'clock noon . At half-past twelve it will be one bell . Then half an hour later , it will be two bells -- one o'clock . You see , every half hour is rung . ''