eight
o'clock
dear ! '' Ruth was asleep again , even while she sighed . Morning came , and though their rest had been short , the girls arose refreshed . `` Miss Sutton , Miss Jennings , Miss Booth , and Miss Hilton , you will see that you are ready to accompany me to the shire-hall by eight o'clock . '' One or two of the girls looked astonished , but the majority , having anticipated the selection , and knowing from experience the unexpressed rule by which it was made , received it with the sullen indifference which had become their feeling with regard to most events -- a deadened sense of life , consequent upon their unnatural mode of existence , their sedentary days , and their frequent nights of late watching . But to Ruth it was inexplicable . She had yawned , and loitered , and looked off at the beautiful panel , and lost herself in thoughts of home , until she fully expected the reprimand which at any other time she would have been sure to receive , and now , to her surprise , she was singled out as one of the most diligent !