noon
Marjorie 's plan had been carried into effect ; and her guests , one and all , had gratefully accepted Mrs. Fisher 's invitation to tea , for they knew of old that her little parties were the most enjoyable ones in the camp . Even Dr. Brownlee had sent a cordial message of acceptance , for though he was surprised at the invitation , coming as it did from a stranger whom he did not even know by sight , he attributed it to the proverbial Western hospitality , and was glad of anything which could bring him into connection with the people among whom he was to live . Early that morning Mr. and Mrs. Fisher had gone away for a long , tedious day of shopping , and an hour later Allie and Marjorie had invaded the kitchen for four hours of hard work . By noon all was in readiness , and they could pause to contemplate the result of their labors . The table was stretched to its utmost length , and bright with snowy linen and glass and silver , while around it were gathered twelve chairs , taken from the different rooms , in order to accommodate the unusual number of guests . Here a dining-room chair stood beside one borrowed from Mrs. Fisher 's bedroom ; there kitchen wood and parlor upholstery were placed side by side , in striking contrast . The table itself was groaning beneath the weight of the feast , for Marjorie had been liberal in her selection from her mother 's preserves ; while a whole boiled ham , fresh from the bakehouse , stood before Mr. Fisher 's place , and at the other end of the table his wife 's chair was decked with ribbons , and confronted with a great loaf of cake , whose uneven icing bore , in red sugar , the letters `` M.C.F. , '' traced by an inexperienced hand .