noon
So Letitia went always in the queer little coarse and scanty gown , which seemed to her more like a bag than anything else ; and for outside wraps she had -- of all things -- a homespun blanket pinned over her head . Her great-great-grandmother and her great-great-aunts were all fitted out in a similar fashion . Goodwife Hopkins , however , had a great wadded hood and a fine red cloak . There was never any fire in the meeting-house , and the services lasted all day , with a short recess at noon , during which they went into a neighboring house , sat round the fire , warmed their half frozen feet , and ate cold corn-cakes and pan-cakes for luncheon . There were no pews in the meeting-house , nothing but hard benches without backs . If Letitia fidgetted , or fell asleep , the tithing-men rapped her . Letitia would never have been allowed to stay away from meeting , had she begged to do so , but she never did .