midday
Of course we are ! ... '' Within , everything was ready for the banquet . In the big dining-room adorned with German oleographs and smelling of geraniums and varnish there were two tables , a larger one for the dinner and a smaller one for the hors-d'oeuvres . The hot light of midday faintly percolated through the lowered blinds ... . The twilight of the room , the Swiss views on the blinds , the geraniums , the thin slices of sausage on the plates , all had a naïve , girlishly-sentimental air , and it was all in keeping with the master of the house , a good-natured little German with a round little stomach and affectionate , oily little eyes . Adolf Andreyitch Bruni -LRB- that was his name -RRB- was bustling round the table of hors-d'oeuvres as zealously as though it were a house on fire , filling up the wine-glasses , loading the plates , and trying in every way to please , to amuse , and to show his friendly feelings . He clapped people on the shoulder , looked into their eyes , chuckled , rubbed his hands , in fact was as ingratiating as a friendly dog .