noon
This was what John 's garden became ; its every inch and every flower still live in more memories than mine , and will for a generation yet ; but I am speaking of it when it was young , like its gardeners . These were Mrs. Halifax and her husband , Jem and Jenny . The master could not do much ; he had long , long hours in his business ; but I used to watch Ursula , morning after morning , superintending her domain , with her faithful attendant Jem -- Jem adored his `` missis . '' Or else , when it was hot noon , I used to lie in their cool parlour , and listen to her voice and step about the house , teaching Jenny , or learning from her -- for the young gentlewoman had much to learn , and was not ashamed of it either . She laughed at her own mistakes , and tried again ; she never was idle or dull for a minute . She did a great deal in the house herself . Often she would sit chatting with me , having on her lap a coarse brown pan , shelling peas , slicing beans , picking gooseberries ; her fingers -- Miss March 's fair fingers -- looking fairer for the contrast with their unaccustomed work .