twelve o’clock
` No , no , it would n't , ' interrupted poor Mr. Trott , hurriedly , ` no , no , it would n't ! I -- I - 'd rather keep it ! ' ` O werry well , ' said the boots : ` that 's a mere matter of taste -- ev ' ry one to his liking . Hows ' ever , all I 've got to say is this here : You sit quietly down in that chair , and I 'll sit hoppersite you here , and if you keep quiet and do n't stir , I wo n't damage you ; but , if you move hand or foot till half-past twelve o'clock , I shall alter the expression of your countenance so completely , that the next time you look in the glass you 'll ask vether you 're gone out of town , and ven you 're likely to come back again . So sit down . ' ` I will -- I will , ' responded the victim of mistakes ; and down sat Mr. Trott and down sat the boots too , exactly opposite him , with the stick ready for immediate action in case of emergency . Long and dreary were the hours that followed .