half
past eleven
-- Do n't slop your paint , Gilbert ; work quick an ' neat an ' even ; then paintin ' ai n't no trick ' t all . Any fool , the Lord knows , can pick up that trade ! -- Now I guess it 's about noon time , an ' I 'll have to be diggin ' for home . Maria sets down an ' looks at the clock from half past eleven on . She 'll git a meal o ' cold pork 'n' greens , cold string beans , gingerbread , 'n' custard pie on t ' the table ; then she 'll stan ' in the front door an ' holler : ` Hurry up , Ossian ! it 's struck twelve more 'n two minutes ago , 'n' everything 's gittin ' overdone ! ' '' So saying he took off his overalls , seized his hat , and with a parting salute was off down the road , singing his favorite song .