9 o'clock
When she told him that Helen had made the coffee , he nodded towards her , and with a grim smile told her that `` she had made a good beginning ; '' but to May , never a word was uttered . Notwithstanding which , it was very evident that a pleasant thought , by some rare chance , had taken possession of his bleak heart , like birds , which , sometimes in flying , drop from their beaks the seeds of beauteous and gorgeous flowers into the crevice of some bare grey rock . He did not again advert to May 's adventure down town , and she _ hoped _ he had forgotten it ; but he was one of those who _ never forget _ . At half-past eight , all her domestic affairs in order , May and Helen prepared to attend the 9 o'clock mass at the cathedral . Helen 's worldly heart was pleased with the grandeur of the building , the dignity with which the ceremonies were conducted , and the appearance of the congregation , who appeared to belong to a better class than she had been accustomed to see in the Catholic churches North . And so they did . They were mostly individuals of fortune and leisure , who had their time in command .