noon
For `` Gazette '' read `` Moniteur '' ; `` The Gazette '' appeared a little later . -- TRANSLATOR . -LSB- 10 -RSB- The translator feels constrained to say that he was not on the spot . Towards noon we saw Celeste come on deck with her second son , both carrying baskets full of plates , dishes , covers , and a tablecloth . You remember I have often told you of an awning stretched at the stern of the flatboat ? We found that in fine weather our dining-room was to be under this . There was no table ; the cloth was simply spread on the deck , and those who ate had to sit _ à la Turque _ or take their plates on their knees .