The context of the following conversation is Jan started to ring the dinner bell. They were alerting people that it was time to eat.:
Jan says I could not get people to come to supper..
The friend responds You must have gotten tired of yelling..
Jan responds We bought a bell..
The friend responds That would work..
Jan responds Now when I start to ring the dinner bell people are alerted that it is time to eat..
The friend responds That was a clever purchase..