ten o'clock
I 'll give it to you , Marmee , just to remember past glories by , for a crop is so comfortable I do n't think I shall ever have a mane again . '' Mrs. March folded the wavy chestnut lock , and laid it away with a short gray one in her desk . She only said , `` Thank you , deary , '' but something in her face made the girls change the subject , and talk as cheerfully as they could about Mr. Brooke 's kindness , the prospect of a fine day tomorrow , and the happy times they would have when Father came home to be nursed . No one wanted to go to bed when at ten o'clock Mrs. March put by the last finished job , and said , `` Come girls . '' Beth went to the piano and played the father 's favorite hymn . All began bravely , but broke down one by one till Beth was left alone , singing with all her heart , for to her music was always a sweet consoler . `` Go to bed and do n't talk , for we must be up early and shall need all the sleep we can get .