midday
And the good woman mopped her streaming face and could herself eat nothing . Mahony much preferred his wife 's cooking , which took account of his tastes -- it was done , too , without any fuss -- and he persisted in upholding Polly 's skill , in face of Mrs. Beamish 's good-natured disbelief . Polly , on edge , lest he should openly state his preference , nervously held out her plate . `` It 's so good , mother , I must have a second helping , '' she declared ; and then , without appetite in the cruel , midday heat , did not know what to do with the solid slab of pudding . Pompey and Palmerston got into the way of sitting very close to her chair . She confided to Richard that Mrs. Beamish disapproved of his evening outings . `` Many an ` usband takes to goin ' out at such a time , my dear , an ' never gets back the ` abit of stoppin ' at ` ome .