noon
At the table at noon a keen observer would have suspected that something was in the wind , from the unseemly haste with which the little girl devoured her food . She was too busy with her project to remember her manners ! When they arose from the table , and Mrs. Stanhope , with her never-forgotten politeness , dismissed them with `` many wishes for an agreeable afternoon , '' Emma slipped lightly down the stairs , like a little weasel , and into the kitchen . The fat cook looked up with surprise from her cup of coffee ; she could not get along without her coffee at noon , whatever happened . `` Well , now , has anything gone wrong with you , miss ? '' she asked . `` Oh , no , '' answered Emma ; `` but I have a little favor to ask of you .