midday
Certainly she had not changed her French gown and things for them , for these in a cumbrous bundle had her father been carrying up and down the town since we lost the minx . `` If you ha n't stole 'em , '' says Dawson , finding his tongue at last , `` where did you find the money to pay for those trappings , slut ? '' `` In my pocket , sir , '' says she , with a curtsey , `` where you might have found yours had you not emptied it so readily for the robbers yesterday . And I fancy , '' adds she slyly , `` I may still find some left to offer you a dinner at midday if you will accept of it . '' This hint disposed us to make light of our grievance against her , and we went out of Ravellos very well satisfied to know that our next meal depended not solely upon chance . And this , together with the bright sunlight and the sweet invigorating morning air , did beget in us a spirit of happy carelessness , in keeping with the smiling gay aspect of the country about us . It was strange to see how easily Moll fell into our happy-go-lucky humour , she , who had been as stately as any Roman queen in her long gown , being now , in her short coloured petticoat , as frolicsome and familiar as a country wench at a fair ; but indeed she was a born actress and could accommodate herself as well to one condition as another with the mere change of clothes .