eight
o'clock
I swallow a curl every time I speak to her . '' `` Well , '' said Mrs. Snawdor , `` companions ai n't in my line , but I got sense enough to know that when a woman 's so mean she 's got to pay somebody to keep her company , the job ai n't no cinch . '' Nance 's new duties , compared with those at the bottle factory , and the sweat-shop seemed , at first , mere child 's play . She arrived at eight o'clock , helped Susan in the basement kitchen , until Miss Bobinet awoke , then went aloft to officiate at the elaborate process of that lady 's toilet . For twenty years Susan had been chief priestess at this ceremony , but her increasing deafness infuriated her mistress to such an extent that Nance was initiated into the mysteries . The temperature of the bath , the choice of underclothing , the method of procedure were matters of the utmost significance , and the slightest mistake on the part of the assistant brought about a scene . Miss Bobinet would shriek at Susan , and Susan would shriek back ; then both would indulge in scathing criticism of the other in an undertone to Nance .