midday
Back again came Mrs. Day with a box of bright steel horn-handled knives , silver-plated forks , carver , and all complete . These were wiped of the preservative oil which coated them , and then a knife and fork were laid down to each individual with a bang , the carving knife and fork thrust into the meat dish , and the old ones they had hitherto used tossed away . Geoffrey placidly cut a slice with the new knife and fork , and asked Dick if he wanted any more . The table had been spread for the mixed midday meal of dinner and tea , which was common among frugal countryfolk . `` The parishioners about here , '' continued Mrs. Day , not looking at any living being , but snatching up the brown delf tea-things , `` are the laziest , gossipest , poachest , jailest set of any ever I came among . And they 'll talk about my teapot and tea-things next , I suppose ! '' She vanished with the teapot , cups , and saucers , and reappeared with a tea-service in white china , and a packet wrapped in brown paper .