midday
she added , looking over the room again . `` Anyhow , I 've made 'em give me the best they 've got . I 'll show 'em how to treat a _ real _ relation that comes to see 'em . '' Supper time came and passed no more cheerfully than had the midday meal . The society of the old people was anything but enlivening for Ida May . In desperation she began to talk , and out of sheer perverseness she lighted upon the subject of the establishment of Hoskin & Marl . Now Prudence found this topic of interest , for since Annabel Coffin -- she who was a Buttle -- had dilated upon those great marts of trade in Boston , the old woman had been vastly curious .