morning, noon
A small gold star , added to the coloured spot , hovering over the name of a city , was explained , in the lower left-hand corner , as denoting the fact that the Eldorado face-powder was exclusively used there , and that S. Cora Grubb was the sole agent for the Pacific coast . Joseph 's coat faded into insignificance in comparison with the city of Mrs. Grubb 's present residence , which appeared to be a perfect hot-bed of world-saving ideas , and was surrounded by such a halo of spots that it would have struck the unregenerate observer as an undesirable place in which to live , unless one wished to be broken daily on the rack of social progress . This front room was Mrs. Grubb 's only parlour . The seven benches were rather in the way and seemingly unnecessary , as the lady attended meetings morning , noon , and night in halls hired for that purpose ; but they gave her a feeling of security , as , in case one of her less flourishing societies should be ejected from its hall , or in case she should wake up in the middle of the night and want to hold a meeting of any club when all the halls were closed , the benches in the parlour would make it possible without a moment 's loss of time . The room connecting with this was the family banquet-hall and kitchen in one , and as Mrs. Grubb 's opinions on diet were extremely advanced , it amply served the purpose . There were three bedrooms upstairs , and the whole establishment was rather untidy in its aspect ; but , though it might have been much cleaner , it is only fair to say that it might also have been much dirtier . The house was deserted .