noon
This was the day of the dragon-boat festival . Cat-tail and artemisia were put over the doors . Tiger charms were suspended on every back . At noon , Madame Wang got a banquet ready , and to this midday feast , she invited the mother , daughter and the rest of the members of the Hsüeh household . Pao-yü noticed that Pao-ch ` ai was in such low spirits that she would not even speak to him , and concluded that the reason was to be sought in the incident of the previous day . Madame Wang seeing Pao-yü in a sullen humour jumped at the surmise that it must be due to Chin Ch ` uan 's affair of the day before ; and so ill at ease did she feel that she heeded him less than ever . Lin Tai-yü , detected Pao-yü 's apathy , and presumed that he was out of sorts for having given umbrage to Pao-ch ` ai , and her manner likewise assumed a listless air .