ten o'clock
Only Ernestine sighed dolefully , and laid her hands out on her lap . Such slim little hands and so white . It was perfectly horrible to be poor and have to go to work ; yes it was , and she privately resolved to shirk just as much as possible . They had a long evening 's talk over the coming change and how they were going to do , but at ten o'clock , as Mr. Dering was still absent , they separated for the night , and mama carried sleepy little Jean off to bed in her arms . Beatrice and Ernestine roomed together in the front room , the twins in one next , and Olive alone across the hall . Generally , while getting ready for bed , the doors were left open , and a merry conversation carried on ; but to-night , they were full of thought , and had not much to say , so everything settled into quiet very soon after the `` good nights '' had been spoken . In the front room , the girls were wakeful .