about one o'clock
Miss Comstock prided herself upon her outlook . She knew that her girls would marry in all likelihood , and she endeavored to give them something of the horizon of broad boulevards and watering-places as a preparation . All the girls had their own maids , who brought them the morning cup of coffee whenever they rang -- usually not before noon . The European day , Adelle learned , began about one o'clock with a variety of expeditions and errands , and frequently ended well after midnight at opera or play , or dancing party at the home of some American resident to whom Miss Comstock introduced her charges . This was during the season . Then there were , of course , expeditions to Rome and Vienna and Madrid , tours of cathedral towns , inspection of watering-places , etc. . Behold , thus , the sole descendant of the hard-grubbing , bucolic Clarks waking from her final nap at eleven in the morning , imbibing her coffee from a delicate china cup , and nibbling at her _ brioche _ , while her maid opened the shutters , started a fire in the grate , and laid out her dresses , chattering all the time in charming French about delectable nothings .