about nine o'clock
Aunt Sukey bought some books , lent some , and borrowed some , but never kept any . So evening after evening she would read to her attentive hearers , while little Rosemary 's large , blue eyes grew larger and larger with wonder and interest , and Henny 's attention relaxed , and her head drooped lower and lower , as she nodded over the fire , until there seemed some danger of her falling into it . In this manner Miss Sukey was training , all unconsciously , the mind of the most romantic little fairy that ever lived to make a romance of her own . When the dip candle had burned nearly down to the socket Aunt Sukey knew by that sign that it was about nine o'clock . They had no other timepiece , so they went by the candle , which always burned just so long . Then Aunt Sukey would only finish her chapter before closing her book . Then Henny would wake up , light a fresh candle , and stand waiting orders .