noon
SEATED at her work table in her sitting room , Mrs. Bilter was putting the last stitches in a white Swiss dress that Renestine was to wear that night to a ball . The puff sleeve close to the shoulder was the last of the dainty dress to be put on . Mrs. Bilter took eager pleasure in dressing her pretty sister in the daintiest of gowns . When she looked up she saw her husband coming through the gate for his noon dinner . She put down her sewing and moved to meet him on the porch . `` Well , dear , how are you getting on with the ball dress ? '' For Mr. Bilter was as interested in his little sister-in-law as his wife was .