nine o'clock
` I was looking for you , Jessie , ' said the mother in her pleasant voice ; ` come and work at double speed , to make up for lost time . ' Jessie had never felt less disposed to work ; but when Mrs. Cunningham made room for her , and gave her the seam she was to do , with a kindly sympathy in tone and glance that seemed to say she knew just what the little girl was feeling , though she was n't going to talk about it , all her unwillingness melted away . ` Mother is sad too , ' she thought . ` I wo n't do anything to vex her ; ' and so she worked away as neatly and diligently as she could till nine o'clock , which was her bed-time . ` I may go to Cecil before I go to bed , mother , may n't I ? ' she whispered as she was bidding good-night . Mrs. Cunningham gave permission , and Jessie rushed up-stairs two steps at a time , but controlled herself to give a very gentle tap at Cecil 's door .