11 a.m.
I thought of all the things by which a woman , past middle age , and with the education common to ladies fifty years ago , could earn or add to a living without materially losing caste ; but at length I put even this last clause on one side , and wondered what in the world Miss Matty could do . Even teaching was out of the question , for , reckoning over her accomplishments , I had to come down to reading , writing , and arithmetic -- and in reading the chapter every morning she always coughed before coming to long words . I was still in a quandary the next morning , when I received a letter from Miss Pole , so mysteriously wrapped up and with so many seals on it to secure secrecy that I had to tear the paper before I could unfold it . It summoned me to go to Miss Pole at 11 a.m. , the a.m. twice dashed under as if I were likely to come at eleven at night , when all Cranford was usually abed and asleep by ten . I went and found Miss Pole dressed in solemn array , though there were only Mrs. Forrester , crying quietly and sadly , and Mrs. FitzAdam present . Miss Pole was armed with a card , on which I imagine she had written some notes . `` Miss Smith , '' she began , when I entered -LRB- I was familiarly known to all Cranford as Mary , but this was a state occasion -RRB- , `` I have conversed in private with these ladies on the misfortune which has happened to our friend , and one and all have agreed that while we have a superfluity , it is not only a duty but a pleasure -- a true pleasure , Mary ! ''