nine o'clock
Mrs. Gerhardt had still fifty dollars left out of the money which Senator Brander had sent to Jennie , and with this a way of getting a little extra furniture on the instalment plan was provided . Bass had already paid the first month 's rent , and Jennie had spent her evenings for the last few days in washing the windows and floors of this new house and in getting it into a state of perfect cleanliness . Now , when the first night fell , they had two new mattresses and comfortables spread upon a clean floor ; a new lamp , purchased from one of the nearby stores , a single box , borrowed by Jennie from a grocery store , for cleaning purposes , upon which Mrs. Gerhardt could sit , and some sausages and bread to stay them until morning . They talked and planned for the future until nine o'clock came , when all but Jennie and her mother retired . These two talked on , the burden of responsibilities resting on the daughter . Mrs. Gerhardt had come to feel in a way dependent upon her . In the course of a week the entire cottage was in order , with a half-dozen pieces of new furniture , a new carpet , and some necessary kitchen utensils .