nine o'clock
`` May I see Mary , just a little minute ? I 've got something for her . '' Miss Grundy was crosser than usual this morning on account of a sudden illness which had come upon Patsy , so she jerked her shoulders , and without turning her head , replied , `` It 's Monday mornin ' , and Mary ai n't goin ' to be hindered by big bugs nor nobody else . Here 't is goin ' on nine o'clock , and them dishes not done yet ! If you want to see her , you can go into the back room where she is . '' Nothing daunted by this ungracious reception , Jenny advanced towards the `` back room , '' where she found Mary at the `` sink , '' her arms immersed in dishwater , and a formidable pile of plates , platters and bowls all ready to be wiped , standing near her . Throwing aside her bonnet and seizing the coarse dish towel , Jenny exclaimed , `` I 'm going to wipe dishes Mary , I know how , and when they are done , if Miss Grundy wo n't let you go up stairs a minute , I 'll ask Mr. Parker .