noon
Kenneth 's abstraction was due to the never-vanishing picture of Viola , the sleeves of her work-dress rolled up to the elbows , her eyes aglow with enthusiasm , her bonny brown hair done up in careless coils , her throat bare , her spirits as gay as the song of a roistering gale . She had come over prepared for toil , an ample apron of blue gingham shielding her frock , her skirts caught up at the sides , revealing the bottom of her white petticoat and a glimpse of trim , shapely ankles . She directed the placing of all the furniture carried in by the grunting Jimmy Munn and Zachariah ; she put the china safe and pantry in order ; she superintended the erection of the big four poster bed , measured the windows for the new curtains , issued irrevocable commands concerning the hanging of several gay English hunting prints -LRB- the actual hanging to be done by Kenneth and his servant in a less crowded hour , -- after supper , she suggested -RRB- ; ordered Zachariah to remove to the attic such of the discarded articles of furniture as could be carried up the pole ladder , the remainder to go to the barn ; left instructions not to touch the rolls of carpet until she could measure and cut them into sections , and then went away with the promise to return early in the morning not only with shears and needle but with Hattie as well , to sew and lay the carpets , -- a `` Brussels '' of bewildering design and an `` ingrain '' for the bedroom . `` When you come home from the office at noon , Kenny , do n't fail to bring tacks and a hammer with you , '' she instructed , as she fanned her flushed face with her apron . `` But I am not going to the office , '' he expostulated . `` I have too much to see to here . '' `` It is n't customary for the man of the house to be anywhere around at a time like this , '' she informed him , firmly .