noon
Olive moved in next day . Heaven helps those who help themselves , she thought , as she borrowed a broom from her landlady to sweep the floor . The morning was fine and she opened the windows wide and let the sun and air in . At noon she went down into the Borgo and bought fried _ polenta _ for five soldi and a slice of chestnut cake at the cook shop , and filled her kettle with clear cold water from the fountain in the courtyard . Later , as she waited for the water to boil over her little spirit lamp , she made a list of absolute necessaries . She had paid a month 's rent in advance , and fifty-three lire remained to her . Fifty-three lire out of which she must buy a straw mattress , a camp-stool , two blankets , some crockery and soap .