nine
o'clock
She knows about stories ! '' The child clapped his hands . `` Well , '' put in Mrs. Benny , seating herself with a sigh as the ham rasher began to frizzle , `` you may say what you like about education , but mothers ought to thank the Lord for it . Sometimes , as 't is , I feel as if the whole world was on my shoulders , and I ca n't be responsible for it any longer ; but what would happen if 't was n't for the school bell at nine o'clock there 's no knowing . You 'd like a wash , my dear ? '' `` I should indeed , '' answered Hester . `` Sometimes I loses count , '' went on Mrs. Benny , not pursuing her invitation , but standing with a faraway gaze bent upon the geraniums in the window ; `` but there 's eleven of 'em , and three buried , and five at school this moment .