noon
All three set to work that evening to paint the porch in front of Jonathan 's house . At first Mullen protested anxiously that it was none of his business to be painting another man 's porch , but Mrs. Burke gave him a look which changed his convictions ; so he and Nickey proceeded gleefully to fulfill their appointed task , while she got supper . When the work was quite finished . Hepsey went over to inspect it , and remarked thoughtfully to herself : `` I should think that a half pint of dryer might be able to get in considerable work before to-morrow noon . I hope Jonathan 'll like scarlet . To be sure it does look rather strikin ' on a white house ; but then variety helps to relieve the monotony of a dead alive town like Durford ; and if he do n't like it plain , he can trim it green . I 'll teach him to come paintin ' my house without so much as a by-your-leave , or with-your-leave , lettin ' the whole place think things . ''