nine o'clock
The girl gave her a look of surprise . ` Why should mother say what she does n't mean ? ' It was uttered with an ingenuousness which threw some light on Rhoda 's character . By nine o'clock the younger trio of sisters had gone to bed ; Alice , Virginia , and Gertrude sat in the parlour , occupied with books , from time to time exchanging a quiet remark . A tap at the door scarcely drew their attention , for they supposed it was the maid-servant coming to lay supper . But when the door opened there was a mysterious silence ; Alice looked up and saw the expected face , wearing , however , so strange an expression that she rose with sudden fear . ` Can I speak to you , please , miss ? '