nine o'clock
Willie was very fond of study , and was delighted at Gerty 's participation in his favourite pursuit . They were a great advantage to each other , for each found encouragement in the other 's sympathy and co-operation . After the first year or two of their acquaintance , Willie was in his fifteenth year , and beginning to look quite manly . But Gerty 's eagerness for knowledge had all the more influence upon him ; for if the little girl of ten years was patient and willing to labour at her books until after nine o'clock , the youth of fifteen must not rub his eyes and plead weariness . When they had reached these ages , they began to study French together . Willie 's former teacher continued to feel a kindly interest in the boy who had long been his best scholar , and who would certainly have borne away from his class the first prizes , had not a higher duty called him to inferior labours previous to the public exhibition . Finding that Willie had much spare time , he advised him to learn the French language , which would prove useful to him -- and offered to lend him such books as he would need at the commencement .