twelve o'clock
Green Valley was full of lovable little ones , but they were as a rule kept closely sheltered in the front and back yards . But Billy was a town baby . His days were spent in and around his father 's livery barn . He went to his twelve o'clock dinner perched on Hank Lolly 's shoulder , and it had gotten so no gathering of men in his father 's office was considered complete without him . And maybe it was just as well ; for since Billy 's coming there was less careless language , less careless gossip . And if some one 's tongue did slip now and then , Hank Lolly had a way of putting his head in and saying solemnly : `` Guess you forgot that Mrs. Evans ' boy was around when you said that . '' For Hank Lolly was little Billy 's proud godfather and Billy 's welfare was a matter that kept Hank awake nights .