midnight
He pressed on toward the little house and garden that now began to show through the trees . Lydia had not long come downstairs when she heard the horse at the gate . The cottage breakfast was nominally at half-past eight . But Mrs. Penfold never appeared , and Susy was always professionally late , it being understood that inspiration -- when it alights -- is a midnight visitant , and must be wooed at suitable hours . Lydia was generally down to the minute , and read prayers to their two maids . Mrs. Penfold made a great point of family prayers , but rarely or never attended them . Susy did not like to be read to by anybody .