noon
It may have been that old Mercy began to feel a little lonely and would be glad to have somebody of her own age with whom to talk over old times . She never had known the people much in this Bassett region , and there were few but young folks left at any rate . As the pleasure-makers hastened toward the fair that bright October morning Mercy sat by the table sewing at a sufficient patch in the old coat . There was little else to do all day but to get herself a luncheon at noon and have supper ready when the family came home cold and tired at night . The two cats came purring about her chair ; one persuaded her to open the cellar door , and the other leaped to the top of the kitchen table unrebuked , and blinked herself to sleep there in the sun . This was a favored kitten brought from the old home , and seemed like a link between the old days and these . Her mistress noticed with surprise that pussy was beginning to look old , and she could not resist a little sigh .