noon
It was a sunny day , with a fresh , cool breeze blowing from the East , and when they were seated around the table , the big tureen filled with hot chowder seemed just what their keen appetites craved . Boiled fish , garnished with cress followed the chowder , and simple pudding , served with cream , furnished the dessert . It surely was not an elaborate dinner , but to the guests it seemed the finest treat that they had ever enjoyed . The long ride in the fresh breeze had made them eager for the noon meal , and the sea food , daintily cooked , was a feast . They lingered at the table , and Mrs. Seaford , and the three little friends listened , and laughed at the merry stories that the two sea captains told . They were all in the big car when Captain Atherton said : `` Oh , now I think of it ; there 's a package , and a basket in this car that I meant to leave here , if you 'll kindly store them for me . '' Captain Seaford , never guessing what the parcel , or big basket contained , answered heartily : `` Of course I 'll store them for you , dear friend , as long as you like , '' and he hastened to take them , carrying them into the house .