five o'clock in the morning
So Nanny could now join in the short evening prayer , and all could go to bed . Mrs. Barton carried up-stairs the remainder of her heap of stockings , and laid them on a table close to her bedside , where also she placed a warm shawl , removing her candle , before she put it out , to a tin socket fixed at the head of her bed . Her body was very weary , but her heart was not heavy , in spite of Mr. Woods the butcher , and the transitory nature of shoe-leather ; for her heart so overflowed with love , she felt sure she was near a fountain of love that would care for husband and babes better than she could foresee ; so she was soon asleep . But about half-past five o'clock in the morning , if there were any angels watching round her bed -- and angels might be glad of such an office they saw Mrs. Barton rise up quietly , careful not to disturb the slumbering Amos , who was snoring the snore of the just , light her candle , prop herself upright with the pillows , throw the warm shawl round her shoulders , and renew her attack on the heap of undarned stockings . She darned away until she heard Nanny stirring , and then drowsiness came with the dawn ; the candle was put out , and she sank into a doze . But at nine o'clock she was at the breakfast-table , busy cutting bread-and-butter for five hungry mouths , while Nanny , baby on one arm , in rosy cheeks , fat neck , and night-gown , brought in a jug of hot milk-and-water . Nearest her mother sits the nine-year-old Patty , the eldest child , whose sweet fair face is already rather grave sometimes , and who always wants to run up-stairs to save mamma 's legs , which get so tired of an evening .