half past twelve
As he read the closing lines of the last manuscript the cuckoo clock struck twelve , midnight . `` You are a mighty good reader , Quincy , '' said Leopold , `` and barring fifteen minutes for refreshments , you have been at it ten hours . Now you want my opinion of those stories , and what 's more , you want my advice as to the best place to put them to secure their approval and early publication . Now I am going to smoke a cigar quietly and think the whole thing over , and at half past twelve I will give you my opinion in writing . I am going into my library for half an hour to write down what I have to say . You take a nap on the lounge there , and you will be refreshed when I come back after having made mince meat of your poor , beautiful , blind _ protege _ . '' Leopold disappeared into the library , and Quincy stretching himself on the lounge , rested , but did not sleep .