nine
o'clock
She would be followed by the elderly , apologetic housewoman , to put his things in order , answering Jacqueline 's imperious demand for haste with an humble `` Yais 'm , Miss Jacky , I 's hurryin ' fas ' as a pusson kin go , but de Madam would n't like it a bit ef I skimped comp ` ny 's room . '' Then would come , perhaps , Big Liza the cook , to enquire for `` comp ` ny 's '' health with elephantine coquetries ; then Lige , erstwhile stable-boy and butler , now promoted to the proud role of valet , requesting orders for the day , and lingering with an appreciative ear for the conversation of his betters . When these were out of the way , a firm tap at the door revealed Jemima , book in hand or with a basket of sewing , announcing quietly that she now had an hour or so at Mr. Channing 's disposal ; whereupon Jacqueline would give up in despair and flounce away , or resign herself to listen , seated behind her sister 's back where she could make faces at it unseen except by the invalid . The afternoons were quite as bad , the family solicitude being augmented by the presence of visitors , the most frequent of whom was Farwell ; and in the evenings all sat together about the great fireplace in the hall -- for the nights were growing chill -- playing games , or listening to Jacqueline 's music , or telling stories like children , until nine o'clock ; at which hour Mrs. Kildare assembled her household , white and black , read a few prayers in a firm but inattentive manner , and sent everybody to bed . The life had a simple charm which Channing savored with due appreciation ; but it gave him very little of Jacqueline , and both thought longingly of the Ruin , at present inaccessible . In one thing Jemima 's inexperience played her false . To a man of Channing 's temperament , occasional and tantalizing glimpses of the _ inamorata _ had an allure that unrestricted intercourse might soon have lessened .