six
o'clock in the evening
It was well she was willing to accept the position of nurse , for he welcomed her with leaps and squeals of joy , and wept loudly and bitterly whenever she dared leave him . His mother was relieved greatly by her sister 's help . For Mrs. John Coulson was suffering from the chronic housekeeping malady , an incompetent maid . A faithful servant of two years ' standing had gone off in a temper the week before because her mistress had announced that henceforth they should have dinner at six o'clock in the evening . Everyone on Sunset Hill had evening dinners and Annie had long felt the disgrace of their mid-day meal . But social eminence , she discovered , was dearly bought , for the faithful Bella immediately departed , declaring `` she 'd wash pots and pans for no living woman on nights when her gentleman friends was calling . '' Her successor was a leisurely young lady with an elaborate dressing of hair , who could not have got dinner a minute earlier than six o'clock in the afternoon in any case , and the Coulsons were now fashionable and uncomfortable .