midday
Are you a witch or a magician ? '' asked Olivia , in her astonished voice . It was pure guess-work on Mrs. Broderick 's part , but as usual her keen wits had grazed the truth . Olivia , who had a healthy girlish appetite , had risen from the midday meal almost as hungry as when she had sat down . The dish of hashed mutton had been small , and if Olivia had eaten her share , Martha would have fared badly . A convenient flower-pot , a gift from Aunt Madge , had prevented Marcus from seeing his wife 's plate . Olivia , who had dined off potatoes and gravy , was already faint from exhaustion .