Half past six
Still there was no going back , for she had given her word , and must stay there until October . The months before her stretched out into a dreary waste . She thought of Miss Ainslie gratefully , as a redeeming feature , but she knew that it was impossible to spend all of her time in the house -- it the foot of the hill . Half past six had seemed an unearthly hour for breakfast , and yet more than once Ruth had been downstairs at five o'clock , before Hepsey was stiring . There was no rest to be had anywhere , even after a long walk through the woods and fields . Inaction became irritation , and each day was filled with a thousand unbearable annoyances . She was fretful , moody , and restless , always wishing herself back in the office , yet knowing that she could not do good work , even if she were there .