Twelve o'clock
And now if you 're in the mind , I 'll box you for half a dollar -- what say ? ' He squared himself in pugilistic attitude , and found amusement in delivering terrific blows which just stopped short of Hood 's prominent features . The latter beat a retreat . Twelve o'clock struck , and no telegram had arrived ; neither had Dagworthy returned to the mill . Hood was indisposed to leave the envelope to be given by other hands ; he might as well have the advantage of such pleasure as the discovery would no doubt excite . So he put it safely in his pocket-book , and hastened to catch the train , taking with him the paper of sandwiches which represented his dinner . These he would eat on the way to Hebsworth .