noon
It had been dark and dingy as long as they could remember . Now it was always bright and pretty -- always sweet with the perfume of flowers , always gay with the music of birds . But more , the children wanted to see the lame little girl who `` tended store , '' who seemed to try so hard to please her customers and who was so affectionate and respectful with the old , old lady whom she called `` Granny . '' At noon and night the bell sounded a continuous tinkle . For a week Maida kept rather close to the shop . She wanted to get acquainted with all her customers . Moreover , she wanted to find out which of the things she had bought sold quickly and which were unpopular .