eleven o'clock
She saw the open windows of the sitting-room , the Nottingham lace curtains stirring and billowing in the draft , and she caught sight of Maria Macapa 's towelled head as the Mexican maid-of-all-work went to and fro in the suite , sweeping or carrying away the ashes . Occasionally in the windows of the `` Parlors '' she beheld McTeague 's rounded back as he bent to his work . Sometimes , even , they saw each other and waved their hands gayly in recognition . By eleven o'clock Trina returned to the flat , her brown net reticule -- once her mother 's -- full of parcels . At once she set about getting lunch -- sausages , perhaps , with mashed potatoes ; or last evening 's joint warmed over or made into a stew ; chocolate , which Trina adored , and a side dish or two -- a salted herring or a couple of artichokes or a salad . At half-past twelve the dentist came in from the `` Parlors , '' bringing with him the smell of creosote and of ether . They sat down to lunch in the sitting-room .