six o'clock
Her decision was made . With ruthless hands she dragged gown after gown from the `` innovations '' and cast them over chairs , on the floor , across the foot of the bed : smart things from Paris and Vienna ; ball gowns , street gowns , tea gowns , lingerie , blouses , hats , gloves and all of the countless things that a woman of fashion and means indulges herself in when she goes abroad for that purpose and no other to speak of . From the closets she drew forth New York `` tailor-suits '' and other garments . Until long after six o'clock she busied herself over this huge pile of costly raiment , portions of which she had worn but once or twice , some not at all , selecting certain dresses , hats , stockings , etc. , each of which she laid carelessly aside : an imposing pile of many hues , all bright and gay and glittering . In another heap she laid the sombre things of black : a meagre assortment as compared to the other . Then she stood back and surveyed the two heaps with tired eyes , a curious , almost scornful smile on her lips . `` There ! ''