a
quarter to ten
To be so easily contented , to accommodate one 's self with such philosophy to one 's circumstances , -- what an advantage that is ! But it required no philosophy on the part of the girls , who had not imagination enough to think of anything different , and who devoutly believed that nothing on earth was so virtuous , so dignified , so praiseworthy , as to keep the linen in order , and make your own underclothing , and sit round the fire at home . When any one would read aloud to them they wanted no better paradise ; but they were not very exacting even in the matter of reading aloud . However exciting the book might be , they were quite willing that it should be put away at a quarter to ten , with a book-marker in it to keep the place . Once Chatty had been known to take it up clandestinely after prayers , to see whether the true murderer was found out ; but Minnie waited quite decorously till eight o'clock next evening , which was the right hour for resuming the reading . Happy girls ! They thus had in their limited little world quite a happy life , expecting nothing , growing no older from year to year .