nearly ten
o'clock
Alas ! to practical and prudent people I can offer no excuse for her ; except , perhaps what Shakspeare gives in the creation of the poor Miranda . When the small servant re-entered the kitchen , Hilary , with a half sigh , shook off her dreams , called Ascott out of the school-room , and returned to the work-a-day world and the family supper . This being ended , seasoned with a few quiet words administered to Ascott , and which on the whole he took pretty well , it was nearly ten o'clock . `` Far too late to have kept up such a child as Elizabeth ; we must not do it again , '' said Miss Leaf , taking down the large Bible with which she was accustomed to conclude the day -- Ascott 's early hours at school and their own house-work making it difficult of mornings . Very brief the reading was , sometimes not more than half a dozen verses , with no comment thereon ; she thought the Word of God might safely be left to expound itself Being a very humble-minded woman , she did not feel qualified to lead long devotional `` exercises , '' and she disliked formal written prayers . So she merely read the Bible to the family , and said after it the Lord 's Prayer .