noon
`` Light cigars with it -- feed it to your elephant -- send it up in a balloon -- I do n't give a kihooted dam what you do with it . But do n't you try to enlist me under the skull and cross-bones ! '' After this unpromising fashion did the conference begin . It was in progress at noon -- and Hiram remained to dinner . Breaking bread with a friend has a consolatory effect -- that can not be denied . When they were smoking after dinner , the first selectman grudgingly consented to take charge of spending the money . He agreed finally with Hiram that with him -- the Cap'n -- on the safety-valve , mere wasteful folderols might be avoided -- and the first selectman had seen enough of the temper of his constituents to fear for consequences should they get their hands into the treasury when he was not standing by .