noon
`` Keep your seat , my boy , subjects of this nature can be better discussed sitting . '' `` No , father , I ca n't keep still . This question concerns four thousand workmen and their families . '' `` Three thousand of whom I shall dismiss at noon to-day , '' interrupted the old gentleman decisively . `` What ! You do n't mean to say you 'll send three thousand workmen , quiet , industrious , faithful , reliable workmen , begging to-day ? Why , father !