midday
She was as true as she was unique in this age of abominations . The older children went to a public school not far away , and Melissa looked after the young ones through the long , slow days , relieved only from her self-imposed duties when Mr. Bingle came home from the bank . Neither Melissa nor Mr. Bingle had had a full day off in all these months , and neither complained . When Sunday came , he always urged her to spend it with friends , leaving him to attend to the midday meal and dinner , but she firmly , even arrogantly , refused to permit any one to meddle with her kitchen . She forced him to go to the Bronx every Sunday afternoon , whether he would or no , and demanded a staggering decrease in wages . `` Why , Mr. Bingle , '' she said , `` you ca n't expect me to work for the same pay I was getting out at Seawood . Do n't be silly , sir ; was n't I getting more out there than the butler got ?