five o'clock
The butcher 's wife , the grocer 's sister , and the draper 's head bookkeeper had all but informed her in so many words that unless their respective relatives or patrons were paid in full by the 1st of November , they would present their bills to Mr. Middleton , if they had to do so in the vestibule of the church . And they were only three out of a number that seemed legion . Others spoke more plainly to Kate , and Elsie began to dread seeing certain people enter the library during her hours there . The days being shorter , the Howe baby went to bed at five o'clock , and little Mattie , who had taken a violent fancy to Elsie , used to run to the library the moment he was off her hands , remaining until six to walk home with her . And Elsie , who was devoted to the child and never tired of her company , was also relieved because her presence protected her from any but veiled hints . The situation wore upon her , and finally she decided to have a frank talk with Mrs. Middleton . She was n't , it is true , on terms of frankness with her , and in a sense it was n't her place to interfere .