evening about six o'clock
A great friendship existed between the hitherto lonely seamstress and Pollie 's mother , whose kind heart was touched by the account the child gave of their friendless young neighbour ; so she sought her out , and finding how good she was , and how bravely she struggled to earn her daily bread honestjly , gradually won her confidence ; so that now Lizzie felt she was not _ quite _ alone in this wide wide world . There _ was _ a kind motherly love in which she could rest , and life was made brighter for her ; even the days were less dreary than before , for as Mrs. Turner 's room was nicer than hers , she invited her to bring her work over , and they stitched hour after hour at their ceaseless work , yet still they did not feel their loneliness so much , and were a comfort and help to one another . All this was a happiness to Pollie , as she felt her mother would not be sad during her absence -LRB- as she very often was -RRB- , for the child 's `` business '' had become more extensive , her ally , Sally , having persuaded her to sell flowers in the evening also ; and as her mother and Mrs. Flanagan had offered no objection to this plan , Pollie was only too glad to earn more ; indeed the little girl 's gains , small though they were , helped to get many simple comforts for the humble home . One evening about six o'clock she came home , swinging her empty basket in her hand and singing softly a merry song from sheer gladness thinking also of the dear face upstairs that would brighten up to welcome her , as it ever did , when , as she entered the doorway , she stumbled over poor little Jimmy , crouching as usual just inside the entrance . `` There ai n't nobody at home , Pollie , '' he said ; `` yer mother has gone to help Lizzie Stevens carry to the shop a real heap of work . '' `` I daresay Mrs. Flanagan is in her room , '' said the child . `` No , she ai n't neither , '' replied Jimmy , `` for I see 'd her go out to the market ; I know , ` cos she took her great basket with her . ''