midday
So I placed the knapsack on a chair in the middle of the room , all packed and ready , for everyone to see that we 're leaving . And I waited for the morning of the next day , and this time the knapsack _ was _ observed . No , it was n't . So I had to wait till the housewife called us to the midday meal , and tell her then , pointing to what was in the middle of the room : `` I 'm afraid I shall have to be leaving today . '' `` No ! Really ? Why do you want to go away ? ''