eight o'clock
Mrs. Lowe was ready for her seamstress . There were the materials to make half a dozen dresses for Angela and Grace , and one of the little Misses was called immediately , and the work of selecting and cutting a body pattern commenced , Mrs. Lowe herself superintending the operation , and embarrassing Mary at the start with her many suggestions . Nearly an hour had been spent in this way , when the breakfast bell rang . It was after eight o'clock . Without saying anything to Mary , Mrs. Lowe and the child they had been fitting , went down stairs . This hour had been one of nervous excitement to Mary Carson . Her cheeks were hot -- burning as if a fire shone upon them -- but her cold hands , and wet , colder feet , sent the blood in every returning circle , robbed of warmth to the disturbed heart .