one in the evening
Down in the flat , whatever was done or said in one room could be more or less heard in all the others , owing to the prevalence of doors . Her existence , in the first half of November , had become regular with a monotony almost absolute . Only the number of meals served to her boarders varied slightly from day to day . All these repasts , save now and then one in the evening , were carried into the bedrooms by the charwoman . Sophia did not allow herself to be seen much , except in the afternoons . Though Sophia continued to increase her prices , and was now selling her stores at an immense profit , she never approached the prices current outside . She was very indignant against the exploitation of Paris by its shopkeepers , who had vast supplies of provender , and were hoarding for the rise .