half past six
`` I 'll tell Mr. Burch , and I guess God will understand . '' Rebecca waked before six the next morning , so full of household cares that sleep was impossible . She went to the window and looked out ; it was still dark , and a blustering , boisterous day . `` Aunt Jane told me she should get up at half past six and have breakfast at half past seven , '' she thought ; `` but I daresay they are both sick with their colds , and aunt Miranda will be fidgety with so many in the house . I believe I 'll creep down and start things for a surprise . '' She put on a wadded wrapper and slippers and stole quietly down the tabooed front stairs , carefully closed the kitchen door behind her so that no noise should waken the rest of the household , busied herself for a half hour with the early morning routine she knew so well , and then went back to her room to dress before calling the children . Contrary to expectation , Miss Jane , who the evening before felt better than Miranda , grew worse in the night , and was wholly unable to leave her bed in the morning .