morning, noon
Half-way upstairs Ruth remembered that her mother had not once inquired as to the nature of the work she intended to undertake , and smiled whimsically to herself . It was so very characteristic of the irresponsible little mistress of the household ! It was tacitly understood in the household that after Easter Ruth was going to do `` something '' to retrieve the family fortunes , but what that `` something '' should be remained vague and undefined . Ruth herself debated the question morning , noon , and night , and , like many another poor girl in the same position , bitterly regretted an education which had given her no one marketable qualification . She could play a little , draw a little , speak French a little , speak German a little less , make her own clothes in amateur fashion , and -- what else ? Nothing at all that any able-bodied woman could not accomplish equally well . If she had concentrated her energies on one definite thing , and learnt to do it , not pretty well , nor very well , but just as well as it could possibly be done , what a different prospect would have stretched before her now !