nine o'clock
Mrs. Shepherd was mending a stole ; Isabella stooped over the sermon , which she was writing like copperplate . Laura sat in a corner with her hands before her : she had finished her book , but her eyes were still visionary . When any of the three spoke , it was in a low tone . Towards nine o'clock Mrs. Shepherd fetched a little saucepan , filled it with milk , and set it on the hob ; and after this she hovered undecidedly between door and fireplace , like a distracted moth . `` Now do try to get it right to-night , Maisie , '' admonished Isabella ; and , turning her face , if not her glance , to Laura , she explained : `` It must boil , but not have a scrap of skin on it , or Robby wo n't look at it . '' Presently the working-men were heard pounding down the stairs , and thereupon Maisie vanished from the room . The next day Laura attended morning and evening service at St Stephen 's - on-the-Hill , and in the afternoon made one of Isabella 's class at Sunday school .