midday
`` Is my cap straight ? I do so want to finish this row and ca n't go in to look . '' `` You 'll put out St. Peter 's eye with a crochet needle while he 's unlocking the pearly gates for you , Lettie Cockrell , '' said Mrs. Sproul , as she rose and stood with ceremony at the head of the steps to meet the Governor and Mr. Jeffries and father as they came up her front walk . Mrs. Sproul always has the most delightful old world sort of midday dinners and it was two o'clock before we all arose from her long table , at one end of which had been demolished a spiced ham and from the other end had disappeared two fat summer turkeys . A saddle of lamb had been passed in between and we had wound up with sweet potato custards , apple float and ice cream . `` I understand now , '' said Mr. Jeffries , as his keen old eyes twinkled down the table at Nickols . `` This food should produce geniuses .