nine o'clock
` Oh ! Well you can take another cup , I daresay , ' Mrs Lambert said graciously . ` I am getting a little faint , ' she added , yawning , ` so I shall be obliged to you to hasten to brew the tea . ' Bryda lost no time , and descending to the lower regions , set Sam at liberty till nine o'clock , and very soon had tea and crisp toast ready for her mistress . All her handy ways were rapidly winning her favour , and Mrs Lambert called her ` a very notable young person , not at all like one brought up in a farmhouse ! ' When the tea was over Bryda cleared it away , and carefully washing the handleless cups , replaced them in the corner cupboard . Then she took a seat by the window , at Mrs Lambert 's request , and read to her -- a dry sermon first , and then Mrs Lambert told her she might go to the bookcase and choose a book for her own reading .