noon
But they bring this upon their own selves , so I 'll keep every bit of thing they send . I 've , after all , resolved how to act in the matter ! '' Having arrived at this decision , lady Feng purely and simply protracted the delay until all the women had sent her enough to satisfy her , when she at last suited her own convenience and spoke to Madame Wang -LRB- on the subject of the vacant post -RRB- . Mrs. Hsüeh and her daughter were sitting one day , at noon , in Madame Wang 's quarters , together with Lin Tai-yü and the other girls , when lady Feng found an opportunity and broached the topic with Madame Wang . `` Ever since , '' she said , `` sister Chin Ch ` uan-erh 's death , there has been one servant less in your ladyship 's service . But you may possibly have set your choice upon some girl ; if so , do let me know who it is , so that I may be able to pay her her monthly wages . '' This reminder made Madame Wang commune with her own self .