the noon
of night
I am sure that the Roman matron never went shopping . I am sure that she did not undertake to keep her own children 's clothing in repair ; for if she had , she could not have been ready , at a moment 's warning , to put forward her troublesome charge as specimen jewels . Do all I can , my little comforts never _ are _ `` fit to be seen ! '' Many is the weary evening that I have been occupied , past the noon of night , in repairing the wear and tear of habiliments -- abridging the volume of the elder children 's clothes into narrow dimensions for the next , or compiling a suit for one , out of the fringed raiment of two or three . Honest was the pride with which I have surveyed these industrious efforts , and sincere the thought that I had really accomplished something . Depositing the various articles where the wearers elect would find them , I have retired to rest ; almost angry with Mr. Smith , who was asleep hours before me -- asleep as unconcernedly as if an indestructible substance fabric had been invented for children 's clothing . Well , after such a night 's work , imagine me waking , with a complacent and happy sensation that , my work having been _ done _ on the day before , the morning is open for new employment .