midday
The stolid niece blundered heavily about the room , doing things that were entirely unnecessary , and raising much dust . She was a conscientious person in her own way , and felt that she must get through a certain amount of work in return for the anticipated reward . She banged chairs and table about , folded up scattered clothes , investigated them with much interest , and fingered and re-arranged the row of boots with muttered ejaculations and covetous eyes . She had previously contrived to get Arithelli into a night dress , had brushed her hair back and plaited it , and pulled the green shutters together to keep out the midday glare . As she looked at the livid face patched with scarlet against the coarse linen , Maria began to feel a little perturbed . Something in the atmosphere of the room had penetrated even the brick wall of her stolidity . She hoped the two Señors would soon return and relieve her of the responsibility of her charge .