eight o'clock
The brow lowered in petulance ; and as she kissed Phoebe , she muttered in her ear a vituperation of the governess in schoolroom _ patois _ ; then began tossing the lesson-books in the air and catching them again , as a preliminary to finding the places , thus drawing on herself a reproof in German . French and German were alternately spoken in lesson hours by Phoebe and Bertha , who had lived with foreign servants from infancy ; but poor Maria had not the faculty of keeping the tongues distinct , and corrections only terrified her into confusion worse confounded , until Miss Fennimore had in despair decided that English was the best alternative . Phoebe practised vigorously . Aware that nothing pleasant was passing , and that , be it what it might , she could do no good , she was glad to stop her ears with her music , until eight o'clock brought a pause in the shape of breakfast . Formerly the schoolroom party had joined the family meal , but since the two elder girls had been out , and Mervyn 's friends had been often in the house , it had been decided that the home circle was too numerous ; and what had once been the play-room was allotted to be the eating-room of the younger ones , without passing the red door , on the other side of which lay the world . Breakfast was announced by the schoolroom maid , and Miss Fennimore rose . No sooner was her back turned , than Bertha indulged in a tremendous writhing yawn , wriggling in her chair , and clenching both fat fists , as she threatened with each , at her governess 's retreating figure , so ludicrously , that Phoebe smiled while she shook her head , and an explosive giggle came from Maria , causing the lady to turn and behold Miss Bertha demure as ever , and a look of disconsolate weariness fast settling down on each of the two young faces .