seven o'clock
Susan stepped into her new role with characteristic vigor . She was too much absorbed in it to be very sorry that her aunt was dead . Everybody praised her , and a hundred times a day her cousins said truthfully that they could not see how these dreadful days would have been endurable at all without Susan . Susan could sit up all night , and yet be ready to brightly dispense hot coffee at seven o'clock , could send telegrams , could talk to the men from Simpson and Wright 's , could go downtown with Billy to select plain black hats and simple mourning , could meet callers , could answer the telephone , could return a reassuring `` That 's all attended to , dear , '' to Mary Lou 's distracted `` I have n't given one THOUGHT to dinner ! '' and then , when evening came again , could quietly settle herself in a big chair , between Billy and Dr. O'Connor , for another vigil . `` Never a thought for her own grief ! '' said Georgie , to a caller .