eight o’clock
They caused her to be present at their meals , and at all their interviews . When she signified the desire to retire to her bedroom , they feigned not to understand . She was only of use to interrupt their private conversations , and had no right to live apart . At eight o'clock , Laurent went to his studio , Therese descended to the shop , while the paralyzed woman remained alone in the dining-room until noon ; then , after lunch , she found herself without company again until six o'clock . Frequently , during the day , her niece ran upstairs , and , hovering round her , made sure she did not require anything . The friends of the family were at a loss for sufficiently laudatory phrases wherein to extol the virtues of Therese and Laurent . The Thursday receptions continued , the impotent old lady being present , as in the past .