Three o'clock
She felt incredibly tired , incredibly lonely ; she longed with a very passion of longing for some one of her own , for the dear , beautiful mother , who if she did not always understand , was always ready to love . Oh , it was hard , unnatural work , this fighting the world alone ! Did the girls who grew weary of the restraints of home , ever realise how their working sisters sickened with longing for some one who cared enough even to _ interfere _ ! Three o'clock , half-past three , a quarter to four . Claire was faint for want of food , and had enough sense to realise that this was a poor preparation for the ordeal ahead ; she went downstairs , and threw herself upon Lizzie 's mercy . `` Lizzie , I have had no lunch . I 'm starving .