eight o'clock
But this was a statement so absurd that Jenny turned away in speechless indignation . What was the use of logic or argument with one of her brother 's mental make-up ? Leaving Mart to go on with his harangue and confirm the mother and his wife in their view of her utter lack of appreciation of her brother 's noble nature , the girl walked wearily away to her desk at the library . It was barely eight o'clock , and her duties began only at nine , but she was an early bird , this New World Little Dorrit , and loved to be promptly at her work , and the janitor and scrub-women often listened to her cheery song as she plied the duster among the shelves and desks of the sanctum . Wells , perhaps , never noticed how much neater everything looked since Miss Wallen took charge , but she was a dainty creature , in whose eyes dusty books and littered desks were abominations . Mrs. Wells , however , was not so blind . `` That girl 's worth two of Miss Stockton , '' was the lady 's verdict , and then , noting with self-comforting criticism the inexpensive material of Jenny 's gown , the absence of all attempt at ornamentation , as well , alas !