ten o'clock
declared the priest . `` No doubt , '' echoed his brother . Helene beamed on them with her quiet smile , as though to say that they themselves sufficed for all her wants , and that she dreaded new acquaintances . However , ten o'clock struck at last , and the Abbe and his brother took up their hats . Jeanne had just fallen asleep in an easy-chair in the bedroom , and they bent over her , raising their heads with satisfied looks as they observed how tranquilly she slumbered . They stole from the room on tiptoe , and in the lobby whispered their good-byes : `` Till next Tuesday ! '' `` O , by the way , '' said the Abbe , returning a step or two , `` I was forgetting : Mother Fetu is ill .