about nine o’clock
So at dinner ; when Mrs. Gummidge was always helped immediately after me , to whom the preference was given as a visitor of distinction . The fish were small and bony , and the potatoes were a little burnt . We all acknowledged that we felt this something of a disappointment ; but Mrs. Gummidge said she felt it more than we did , and shed tears again , and made that former declaration with great bitterness . Accordingly , when Mr. Peggotty came home about nine o'clock , this unfortunate Mrs. Gummidge was knitting in her corner , in a very wretched and miserable condition . Peggotty had been working cheerfully . Ham had been patching up a great pair of waterboots ; and I , with little Em ' ly by my side , had been reading to them . Mrs. Gummidge had never made any other remark than a forlorn sigh , and had never raised her eyes since tea .