noon
She had by her a barrel full of batter , and she and the negro boy , Bob , each with two large frying pans , were making griddle cakes with astonishing rapidity . To each of the men she gave one of the tin plates , with half a dozen of the hot cakes upon it , bidding each help himself to molasses from the half barrel , from which , for convenience of ladling , Bob had removed the head . `` This is breakfast , '' she said to the men , as they refreshed themselves . `` There 'll be dinner , and a good one , ready for all of you at noon , when the work is done . '' The men were too far exhausted to greet her suggestion with enthusiasm . The few words they spoke in response were words of discouragement , and even of despair . They did not tell her that they had decided to work no more , but she saw clearly that they were on the point of such decision .