noon
And his manner to-day was utterly stripped of gallantry ; it was gauged with the precise idea of meeting the approval of Bertie Patterson . `` I expect I shall seem awfully insipid , '' he said to himself . Jane came to meet them from a room beyond , where she left a doughnut and a half cup of coffee standing on a round-topped oak table . The regular noon hour enjoyed by most of the girls was done ; two or three remained finishing their lunch or looking over the picture papers , and a couple of them , in the little parlor , were trying duets on the piano . `` I 'm the only one of the board on hand to-day , '' Jane explained . `` So I 've been doing a little book-keeping and a little waiting and a little everything . This is Miss Casey , '' she said , introducing one of the piano-players ; `` and this is Miss O'Brien , '' introducing the other .