eleven o’clock before
The little property of her father was sold for the payment of his debts , and Nellie , who was then but twelve years old , was obliged to labor both early and late for her daily bread . Her father had lived near the city of New York , and not long after his death she procured a situation in a wealthy family of that city . She was called `` the girl to do chores , '' which meant that she was kept running from garret to cellar , from parlor to kitchen , first here and then there , from earliest dawn to latest evening . It was almost always eleven o'clock before she could steal away to her low bed in the dark garret , and often , in the loneliness of the night , would the desolate child pray that the God with whom her parents dwelt would look in pity upon the helpless orphan . Ere long her prayer was answered , for there came to the house where she lived a gentleman and lady , who saw the `` little kitchen girl . '' Something there was in her sad but intelligent face which attracted their notice , and they inquired her history of Mrs. Stanley , the lady with whom she lived . `` She is , '' said Mrs. Stanley , `` a good enough girl , if she would only let books alone ; but she seems to have a passion for study , quite unsuitable for one in her station .