Twelve o'clock
`` Look here , '' I said , as I sat on the bottom step . `` Shall I undo it ? '' Dogs must have a good deal of reason , for Piter leaped up and laid his head in my lap directly , holding it perfectly still while I unbuckled the strap collar , when he gave a sniff or two at my hands , licked them , and bounded off to have a regular good run all over the place before he came back and settled down close to me in the little office where I was trying to read . Twelve o'clock at last , and I awoke Uncle Jack , who rose at once , fresh and clear as if he were amply rested , and soon after I was fast asleep , dreaming away and fancying I could hear the rattle and the throb of the train . Then I was talking to that man again , and then swinging out on the carriage-door with the wind rushing by , and the bluff man leaning out over me , and Piter on the carriage with him , barking at my aggressor , who was shrieking for mercy . Then I was awake , to see that it was Uncle Jack who was leaning over me , and the window was open , admitting a stream of cold air and a curious yelling noise , mingled with the barking of a dog . `` What is the matter ? ''