midday
never have I seen anything more lifelike . One might almost be tempted to reach out a hand and take one . '' Edna could not control a feeling which bordered upon complacency at her friend 's praise , even realizing , as she did , its true worth . She retained a few of the sketches , and gave all the rest to Madame Ratignolle , who appreciated the gift far beyond its value and proudly exhibited the pictures to her husband when he came up from the store a little later for his midday dinner . Mr. Ratignolle was one of those men who are called the salt of the earth . His cheerfulness was unbounded , and it was matched by his goodness of heart , his broad charity , and common sense . He and his wife spoke English with an accent which was only discernible through its un-English emphasis and a certain carefulness and deliberation .