twelve o'clock
After some farther chat , Toal , who , we should have informed our readers , had removed from his father 's old residence into Ballykeerin , took his departure , quite proud at the notion of being a godfather at all ; for in truth it was the first occasion on which he ever had an opportunity of arriving at that honor . Art was a strictly conscientious man ; so much so , indeed , that he never defrauded a human being to the value of a farthing ; and as for truth , it was the standard principle of his whole life . Honesty , truth , and sobriety are , indeed , the three great virtues upon which all that is honorable , prosperous , and happy is founded . Art 's conscientious scruples were so strong , that although in point of fact the term of his oath had expired at twelve o'clock in the forenoon , he would not permit himself to taste a drop of spirits until after twelve at night . `` It 's best , '' said he to his brother , `` to be on the safe side at all events : a few hours is neither one way nor the other . We have n't now more than a quarther to go , and then for a tight drop to wet my whistle , an ' dhrink the little girshas health an ' her mother 's . Throth I 've put in a good apprenticehip to sobriety , anyhow .