nearly noon
The floor was bare , except a strip of faded carpet stretched in front of a small single bedstead ; and the additional furniture consisted of two chairs , a tall table where hung a mirror , and a washstand that held beside bowl and pitcher a candlestick and china cup . On the table were several books , a plate and knife , and a partially opened package disclosed a loaf of bread , some cheese , and an apple . In front of the window a piece of plank had been rudely fastened , and here stood two wooden boxes containing a few violets , mignonette , and one very luxuriant rose-geranium . The faded blue cambric curtain was twisted into a knot , and as it was now nearly noon , the sun shone in and made a patch of gold on the stained and dusky floor . On the bed lay the straw hat , garlanded with roses that had lost their primitive tints , and before the window in a low chair sat the lonely lodger . On her knees rested a cushion , across which was stretched a parchment pattern bristling with pins , and with bobbins she was swiftly knitting a piece of gossamer lace , by throwing the fine threads around the pins . Over the floor floated her delicate lilac dress , and the sleeves were looped back to escape the forest of pins .