nine o'clock in the evening
One evening , seated at the counter there , and waiting for the return of Gertie , he gave a formal warning to the effect that any cigar presented to him was , in future , to be taken from the threepenny box . At Great Titchfield Street , Gertie tried to divert her mind from personal anxieties by throwing energy into work , with more than common resolution . A large commission arrived from a ruler of an Eastern nation , who considered a new and elaborately ornamental sash would revive a feeling of loyalty in his army and patriotism in his country . The girls were not permitted except on strictly limited occasions to work after nine o'clock in the evening , and extra assistants had to be engaged ; the men upstairs who made the leather foundations were watched and encouraged ; Madame begged Gertie to recommend them to keep off the drink , adding that they would take more notice of this advice if it came from Miss Higham and not from Madame herself . All the looms were at their noisy spider work ; reels of gold thread were ordered in twenties ; the bobbins began to dance around the maypole , sewing-machines sang lustily ; the telephone only ceased ringing to deliver messages . Miss Rabbit became hysterical , vehement , cross ; Gertie 's intervention became necessary to prevent a strike amongst the pinafored young women . `` We can be led , Miss Higham , '' they announced determinedly , `` but we wo n't be drove .