ten o'clock
They cooked and swept and dusted , tried the furniture in new positions , sent Jimmy to the White House for a special new pattern , and experimented with house-dresses . Susan heard the first real laughter in months ring out at the dinner-table , when she and Betsey described their experiences with a crab , who had revived while being carried home in their market-basket . Jimmy , silent , rough-headed and sweet , followed Susan about like an affectionate terrier , and there was another laugh when Jimmy , finishing a bowl in which cake had been mixed , remarked fervently , `` Gosh , why do you waste time cooking it ? '' In the evening they played euchre , or hearts , or parchesi ; Susan and Philip struggled with chess ; there were talks about the fire , and they all straggled upstairs at ten o'clock . Anna , appreciative and affectionate and brave , came home for almost every Saturday night , and these were special occasions . Susan and Betsey wasted their best efforts upon the dinner , and filled the vases with flowers and ferns , and Philip brought home candy and the new magazines . It was Anna who could talk longest with the isolated mother , and Susan and she went over every word , afterwards , eager to find a ray of hope .