noon
Why , look at the way they live -- jest some weeds an ' yarbs dug up on the roadside , an ' stewed in a kettle with a piece o ' fat the size o ' your finger , an ' a loaf o ' bread , an ' they 're happy as a king . There 's some sense in THAT ; but the Irish , they 've got to have meat an ' potatoes an ' butter jest as if -- as if -- '' `` As if they 'd b ` en used to 'em at home , '' put in Mr. Winch , to help his colleague out . The lawyer ostentatiously drew up his chair to the desk , and began turning over the leaves of his biggest book . `` It 's getting on toward noon , gentlemen , '' he said , in an impatient voice . The business meeting which followed was for a considerable time confined to hearing extracts from the books and papers read in a swift and formal fashion by Mr. Gorringe . If this was intended to inform the new pastor of the exact financial situation in Octavius , it lamentably failed of its purpose . Theron had little knowledge of figures ; and though he tried hard to listen , and to assume an air of comprehension , he did not understand much of what he heard .