about
nine o'clock
They needed to eat ; they needed to sleep . Now and then someone had to go out on the landing and comfort or reassure Steptoe , who sat on the attic stairs like a grief-stricken dog . Letty was the first to consent to go and lie down . She did so about nine o'clock , extracting a promise that whatever happened she would be called at twelve . If there was any change in the meantime -- but that , Miss Moines assured her , was understood in all such ride-and-tie arrangements . At twelve Letty was to return and Barbara lie down till three , with the same proviso in case of the unexpected . But , so to put it , the unexpected seemed improbable , in view of that rigid form , and the white , upturned face .