nine o'clock
Since that day , she had never of her own free will approached Mrs. Gurley again , and even avoided those places where she was likely to be found . This was why one morning , some three weeks later , on discovering that she had forgotten one of her lesson-books , she hesitated long before re-entering the dining-hall . The governesses still clustered round their chief , and the pupils were not expected to return . But it was past nine o'clock ; in a minute the public prayer-bell would ring , which united boarders , several hundred day-scholars , resident and visiting teachers in the largest class-room ; and Laura did not know her English lesson . So she stole in , cautiously dodging behind the group , in a twitter lest the dreaded eyes should turn her way . It was Miss Day who spied her and demanded an explanation . `` Such carelessness !