noon
Beyond this were the dining-room and kitchen , with store-room and pantry , and a long woodshed running off to one side . The second floor consisted of a number of small bedrooms , each with just enough in the way of furnishings to provide for the comfort of the occupants , without adding to housekeeping cares . From this story a staircase of ladder-like steepness , led up to an unfinished garret , empty , except for a few pieces of dilapidated furniture and sundry piles of magazines and paper-covered books , which had undoubtedly contributed to the entertainment of the cottagers in past seasons . Thanks to an early start , it was little past noon when the arrivals from Friendly Terrace took possession . Luncheon was first in order . The dust of the winter having been removed from the dining-table , various alluring pasteboard boxes were placed upon it , and seven hungry people ranged themselves in expectant rows . The piles of sandwiches melted away as if by magic , and as they disappeared , the rooms silent for so long , echoed to the whole-hearted laughter which is the best of all aids to digestion .