six in the morning
In the great lofts sewing-machines of various patterns and movements were installed . A manageress was advertised for , and work-girls were hired . So a new phase of life started . At half-past six in the morning there was a clatter of feet and of girls ' excited tongues along the back-yard and up the wooden stair-way outside the back wall . The poor invalid heard every clack and every vibration . She could never get over her nervous apprehension of an invasion . Every morning alike , she felt an invasion of some enemy was breaking in on her .