nine o'clock
On the nights when the Specialities entertained , unless it was midsummer , the girls met at six-thirty , and the entertainment continued until nine . On that special evening Mrs. Haddo , for wise reasons all her own , excused the Specialities and their guests from attending prayers in the chapel . She had once made a little speech about this . `` You will pray earnestly in your rooms , dears , and thank God for your happy evening , '' she had said ; and from that moment the Specialities knew that they might continue their enjoyment until nine o'clock . Oh , it was all fascinating ! Betty was very grave . Her high spirits deserted her that morning , and she went boldly to Mrs. Haddo -- a thing which few girls dared to do .