Eight o'clock
queried Irma petulantly . `` He could n't come earlier , mother dear ; you know how busy he is always on Sundays ... benediction , then christenings , then vespers ... . He said he would be here about eight o'clock . '' `` Eight o'clock ! '' exclaimed the woman , `` who ever heard of such a ridiculous hour ? And candles are so dear -- there 's only a few centimètres of it in the house . '' `` I 'll only light the candle , mother , when the Pater comes , '' said Elsa , with imperturbable cheerfulness ; `` I 'll just sit by the open door now and put a stitch or two in father 's bunda while the light lasts : and when I ca n't see any longer I 'll just sit quietly in the dark , till the Pater comes .