One o'clock
To Milly it seemed a harsh philosophy . She wished to give when and what she liked to whom she pleased and take whatever she wanted . It was the failure of this system to work that had brought about the present crisis in her affairs . * * * * * One o'clock arrived , and Milly , who was genuinely aroused by the harsh-voiced working-woman , invited Ernestine to stay for the mid-day meal , which on account of the child was dinner rather than lunch . The light in Ernestine 's black eyes and the pleased , humble tone in which she exclaimed , -- `` Oh , may I ! '' touched Milly . So the three presently sat down around the small table , which Milly had served in the front room of the flat rather than in the dark pocket of a dining-room .