midday
`` People accuse _ me _ of being cross and crabbed and unsociable , and they are quite right . If you had come here pleading and begging for favors , and half afraid of my Yookoohoo magic , I 'd have abused you until you ran away ; but you 're quite different from that . _ You 're _ the unsociable and crabbed and disagreeable one , and so I like you , and bear with your grumpiness . It 's time for my midday meal ; are you hungry ? '' `` No , '' said Ervic , although he really desired food . `` Well , I am , '' Reera declared and clapped her hands together . Instantly a table appeared , spread with linen and bearing dishes of various foods , some smoking hot .