twelve
o'clock
Its scenery , too , which presents such a complete contrast to the whirl and turmoil of Manchester ; so thoroughly woodland , with its ancestral trees -LRB- here and there lightning blanched -RRB- ; its `` verdurous walls ; '' its grassy walks , leading far away into some glade , where you start at the rabbit rustling among the last year 's fern , and where the wood-pigeon 's call seems the only fitting and accordant sound . Depend upon it , this complete sylvan repose , this accessible quiet , this lapping the soul in green images of the country , forms the most complete contrast to a town 's - person , and consequently has over such the greatest power to charm . Presently Libbie found out she was very hungry . Now they were but provided with dinner , which was , of course , to be eaten as near twelve o'clock as might be ; and Margaret Hall , in her prudence , asked a working-man near to tell her what o'clock it was . `` Nay , '' said he , `` I 'll ne'er look at clock or watch to-day . I 'll not spoil my pleasure by finding out how fast it 's going away . If thou ` rt hungry , eat .