ten o'clock
We all set off together , Father Goulden gravely giving his arm to Catherine , as he always did in the street , and I marched on behind as happy as possible . Those I loved best in the world were here before my eyes , and as I went on I thought of what I should say to Aunt Grédel . The weather was splendid , and on we went beyond the wall and the glacis , and in twenty minutes , without hurrying , we stood before Aunt Grédel 's door . It might have been ten o'clock , and as I had gained a little on them at the `` Roulette '' I went in by the alley of elders that ran along the side of the house , and looked into the little window to see what aunt was doing . She was seated right opposite me near the fireplace , in which a little fire was smouldering , she had on her short skirt , striped with blue , with great pockets on the outside , and her linen corsage with shoulder-straps , and her old shoes . She was spinning away , with her eyes cast down , looking very sober , her great thin arms naked to the elbow , and her gray hair twisted up in her neck without any cap . `` Poor Aunt Grédel , '' thought I , `` she is thinking of us no doubt -- and she is so obstinate in her vexation .