nine o'clock
A sofa bed was brought in for her to lie on , for Mrs. Willis had yielded to Hester 's almost feverish entreaties that she might not be banished from her little sister . Not a sound reached the room where Nan was lying -- even the girls took off their shoes as they passed the door -- not a whisper came to disturb the sick child . Little Nan slept most of the evening , only sometimes opening her eyes and looking up drowsily when Miss Danesbury changed the cold application to her head . At nine o'clock there came a low tap at the room door . Hester went to open it ; one of her schoolfellows stood without . `` The prayer-gong is not to be sounded to-night . Will you come to the chapel now ?