midday
The Widow Larken did not answer Bobby directly . She called back to a blue-overall-clad porter at the end of the lobby : `` Open the dining-room doors , Michael . '' Signorina Caravaggio immediately said a few guttural words in German to Professor Frühlingsvogel , a few limpid words in Italian to Signor Ricardo a few crisp words in French to Madame Villenauve , a nervous but rather attractive little woman with piercing black eyes . The singers of other languages did not wait to be informed ; they joined the general stampede toward the ravishing paradise of midday breakfast , and as the last of them vacated the lobby , the principals no whit behind the humble members of the chorus in crowding and jamming through that doorway , Bobby breathed a sigh of relief . Only the Signorina was left to him , and Bobby hesitated just a moment as it occurred to him that , perhaps , a more personal entertainment was expected by this eminent songstress . Biff Bates , however , relieved him of his dilemma . `` While you 're gone down to see the boys at the Idlers ' Club , '' said Biff , `` I 'm going to take Miss Carry -- Miss -- Miss -- '' `` Caravaggio , '' interrupted the Signorina with a repetition of a laugh which had convinced Bobby that , after all , she might be a singer , though her speaking voice gave no trace of it .