nine o'clock
Helen and Tom had been so kind to her in the past -- all through those miserable first weeks of her life at the Red Mill -- that Ruth felt she could never be really angry with Helen . It only made her sorrowful to think that perhaps Helen , in this new and wider school life , might drift away from her . The regular program of the working days of the school included prayers in the chapel before the girls separated for their various classes . These were held at nine o'clock . But on Sunday Ruth found that breakfast was an hour later than usual and that at ten o'clock several wagonettes , besides Old Dolliver 's Ark , were in waiting to take those girls who wished to ride to the churches of the several denominations located in Lumberton . A teacher , or a matron , went in each vehicle , and if any of the girls preferred to walk in pleasant weather there was always a teacher to walk with them -- for the distance was only a mile . Dinner was at half-past one , and at three there was a Sabbath School , conducted by Mrs. Tellingham herself , assisted by most of the teachers , in the large assembly hall .