nine
o'clock
We shall see how it was employed . This afternoon had been a very pleasant one ; the chickens had been looked at and greatly admired ; flowers , the great favourites both of aunt and niece , Mabel did not care for , though she liked , as we have seen , to deck herself in gay colours . In the house they had plenty of amusement , with books and pretty specimens of work of various kinds from the ready fingers and artistic taste of Aunt Mary and Clara ; indeed , what had been produced by their skill , industry , and steady perseverance , was worthy of admiration . To Mabel 's astonishment , nine o'clock struck , and she had not yet finished her pleasant occupation of examining , when her aunt said : ` Now , my dears , it is your bed-time . ' Clara instantly began to put away books and work , but Mabel exclaimed : ` Oh , aunt ! must we go to bed so soon ? I never go till ten , at home ! '