A quarter past ten
A low clothes-horse , covered with fresh-smelling , gently-steaming linen , stood before a great glowing fire . A baby lay awake in a swinging cot just under the protruding leaf of the table , and a little girl of three was sitting in night-dress and shawl on a stool in a warm corner . ` Yes , you may well stare , ' resumed Mrs. Poole , noticing Grail 's glance at the children . ` A quarter past ten and neither one of 'em shut an eye yet , nor wo n't do till their father comes home , not if it 's twelve o'clock . You dare to laugh , Miss ! ' she cried to the little one on the stool , with mock wrath . ` The idea of having to fetch you out o ' bed just for peace and quietness .