seven o'clock
I 'm _ not _ sorry ; and mother would n't have me tell a lie for anybody . '' So the sun went toward the west , and Julia at the window watched the academy girls moving homeward from their afternoon ramble , listened to the preparations for tea which were being made among the dishes in the dining-room , and , having no more tears to shed , sighed wearily , and wished the miserable day were quite done and she was sound asleep . Only a few moments before she had received a third visit from her mother ; and , turning to her , fresh from a talk with Alfred , she had answered her mother 's question as to whether she were not now ready to ask Ester 's forgiveness , with quite as sober and determined a `` No , ma'am , '' as she had given that day ; and her mother had gravely and sadly answered , `` I am very sorry , Julia I ca n't come up here again ; I am too tired for that . You may come to me , if you wish to see me any time before seven o'clock . After that you must go to your room . '' And with this Julia had let her depart , only saying , as the door closed : `` Then I can be asleep before Ester comes up . I 'm glad of that .