noon
If the _ cremery _ had seemed lonely by gaslight , what must Ralph Flare have said of it next morning , as he sat in his old place and watched the _ ouvriers _ at breakfast ? They came in , one by one , with their baton of brown bread , and called for two sous ' worth of coffee and milk . The men wore blouses of blue and white , and jested after the Gallic code with the sewing-girls . This bread and coffee , and a pear which they should eat at noon , would give them strength to labor till nightfall brought its frugal repast . Yet they were happy as crickets , and a great deal more noisy . Here is little Suzette , smiling and skipping , and driving her glances straight into Ralph Flare 's heart . `` Good-day , sir , '' she cries , and takes a chair close by him , after the manner of a sparrow alighting .