three o'clock
Nevertheless , a comparison would arise now and then with the former times , and with their state at Seaforth ; and further back still , with the beauties and glories of the old manor house in England . Sometimes Esther felt a strange wave of regret come over her at the thought of the gay circle of relations she did not know , who were warm in the shelter of prosperity and the cheer of numbers . She knew herself in a better shelter , yes , and in a better cheer ; and yet sometimes , as I said , an odd feeling of loss and descent would come over her as she entered Major Street Esther was working hard these days , which no doubt had something to do with this . She rushed from her morning duties to the school ; then at three o'clock rushed to Major Street ; and from there , when it grew too dark to work , drove home to minister to her father . Probably her times of discouragement were times when she was a little tired . The thought was very far from her usually . In her healthy and happy youth , busy life , and mental and spiritual growth and thrift , Esther 's wants seemed to be all satisfied ; and so long as things ran their ordinary course , she felt no deficiency .