two o'clock
I ain ' had so much ter eat sence I ` se gone off , en I ain ' had much uv er roof ter kiver me , en I ain ' had nuttin ' ter w ` ar ter speak on -- but , fo ' de Lawd , Marse Tom , freedom it are er moughty good thing . '' Then the general flew into the house in a rage and Uncle Ishmael left , followed by two small negroes , bearing on their heads the donations made by Miss Chris to his welfare . On the day that Eugenia encountered Nicholas at school the general was sitting , as usual , in his rocking chair upon the front porch , when he saw the flutter of a blue skirt , and Eugenia emerged from the avenue and came up the walk between the stiff rows of box . It was two o'clock , and the general was peacefully awaiting the sound of the dinner bell , but at the sight of Eugenia his peacefulness departed , and he called angrily : `` Eugie , where 's Bernard ? '' `` Comin ' . '' `` Coming ! '' returned the general indignantly .