noon
The chicken looked delicious with its accompaniment of vari-colored vegetables , -- Nancy had done away with the side dish long since -- and each serving was assembled with special reference to its decorative qualities . The girls went up-stairs to put the salad on the plates , where the desserts were already dished in the quaint blue bowls in which stewed fruits and the more fluid sweets were always served . In her mind 's eye Nancy could see the picture . At noon the court was almost entirely in the shade , and instead of the awning top , which shut out the air , there were gay striped umbrellas at the one or two tables that were imperfectly protected from the sun . She had recently invested in some table-cloths with bright blue woven borders . Flowers were arranged in low bowls and baskets on respective tables . Nancy instinctively grouped tired young business men in blue serge and soft collars at the tables decorated with the baskets of blue flowers ; and pale young women in lingerie blouses before the bowls of roses .