noon
I think her old fear of my claiming the place came on her again , and though she always tried to treat me civilly , the effort in the end proved too great for her overwrought nerves , as you shall presently hear . Upon Dorothy fell the duty of looking after the household , and she went about it cheerfully and willingly . Her mornings were passed in instructing the servants in their duties and seeing that their work was properly done . There were visits to the pantry and kitchen , and a long conference with the cook , so that noon was soon at hand . The afternoon was spent in the great workroom on the upper floor , into which I ventured to peep once or twice , only to be bidden to go about my business . But it was a pleasant sight , and I sometimes gathered courage to steal down the corridor for a glimpse of it . There sat Dorothy in a dainty gown of Covent Garden calico , directing half a dozen old negro women , who were cutting out and sewing together the winter clothing of fearnaught for the slaves .