ten o'clock
So the day went on . After her dinner , if the weather were fair , she would perhaps deck herself with a black silk mantilla and a tall bonnet with nodding flowers , and go out to visit some old friend . A muffin , a cup of tea , and perhaps a little cathedral gossip would follow ; and then Miss Unity , stepping primly across the Close , reached the dull shelter of her own home again , and was alone for the rest of the evening . At ten o'clock she read prayers to Bridget and the little maid , and so to bed . The even course of these days was only disturbed twice in the year -- once by Mr and Mrs Hawthorn 's visit to Nearminster , and once by Miss Unity 's visit to Easney . These were important events to her , anticipated for months , not exactly with pleasure ; for , though she was really fond of her friends , she was shy , and to be put out of her usual habits was , besides , a positive torture to her . Then there were the children !