nearly eleven o'clock before
With a sigh , Ellen sat down and resumed her needle . After a while she said -- `` Miss Mary , I can not finish your dress , unless you and your sister help me a good deal . '' `` Oh , we 'll do that , of course , '' replied Mary , getting up and leaving the room . It was nearly eleven o'clock before Mary thought of helping Ellen any , and then two or three young ladies came in to pay a visit of condolence , and prevented her . Tears were shed at first ; and then gradually a more cheerful tone of feeling succeeded , and so much interested were the young ladies in each other 's company , that the moments passed rapidly away , and advanced the time near on to the dinner hour . It was full three o'clock before Mary and Jane sat themselves down to help Ellen . The afternoon seemed almost to fly away , and when it was nightfall , the dress was not half finished .