about four o'clock
They tried lotto , but it proved a miserable failure . Then Betty tried reading aloud , but a big lump kept rising in her throat and choking her , and they soon gave that up as well . After all , the most comforting thing seemed to sit hand in hand , talking in whispers , and listening to every sound from the sick-room . At about four o'clock there was a ring at the bell , and Betty , hurrying to admit the visitor , encountered in the hall a tall young woman , with a bright , sensible face , who carried a traveling bag , and who Mrs. Hamilton told her was the nurse Dr. Bell had promised to send . After that there was a good deal of whispering and moving about , but no one came near the children , and the time seemed very long indeed . It was nearly dark when the doctor came again . The children heard his voice in the hall , and after a little while he and Mrs. Hamilton came into the sitting room together , and Mrs. Hamilton lighted the gas .