nearly nine o'clock in the morning
A brief note gave her the day to herself , and also brought flowers from Allison , with a friendly note in his own hand . Doctor Jack was the messenger and took occasion to offer his services in the conquest of the headache , but Rose declined with thanks , sending down word that she preferred to sleep it off . Though breakfast might be a movable feast at Madame 's , it was always consistently late . It was nearly nine o'clock in the morning when the telephone wakened Madame from a dreamless sleep . She listened until it became annoying , but no one answered it . Finally she got up , rather impatiently , and went to it herself , anticipating Rose by only a minute . Tremulous with suspense , Rose waited , scarcely daring to breathe until Madame turned with a cry of joy , the receiver falling from her nerveless hand .