midday
The clattering keys opened cupboards , chests , strong boxes , which contained a profusion of household linen , costly lace yellow with age , diamonds , destined for the dowry of her nieces , and money . The cupboards where tea , sugar , coffee and other provisions were kept were in Vassilissa 's charge . In the morning , after coffee , when she had given her orders for the farm , Tatiana Markovna sat down at her bureau to her accounts , then sat by the window and looked out into the field , watched the labourers , saw what was going on in the yard , and sent Yakob or Vassilissa when there was anything of which she disapproved . When necessary she drove into the town to the market hall , or to make visits , but never was long away , returning always in time for the midday meal . She herself received many guests ; she liked to be dispensing hospitality from morning to night . When in winter afternoons she sat by the stove , she was silent and thoughtful , and liked everything around her quiet . Summer afternoons she spent in the garden , when she put on her gardening gloves and took a spade , a rake , or a watering can , by way of obtaining a little exercise .