The blue class into which Hélène was entered was composed of children from seven to ten years old.[22] It is interesting to note, from the very first, what was the order of the lessons, the working and recreation hours. Hélène gives it in her own writing: “Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays: to get up in summer at seven o’clock, in winter at half-past seven. To be at eight in the stalls of the schoolroom, ready for Madame de Rochechouart, who comes in at eight. Directly she has left, to learn the _Catéchisme de Montpellier_,[23] and repeat it. At nine o’clock, breakfast; and half-past nine, Mass; at ten, reading till eleven. From eleven till half-past eleven, a music lesson. At half-past eleven till twelve, drawing lesson. From twelve to one, a lesson in geography and history. At one o’clock, dinner and recreation till three. At three o’clock, lessons in writing and arithmetic till four. At four o’clock, dancing lesson till five. Collation and recreation till six; from six to seven, the harp or the harpsichord. At seven, supper. At half-past nine, the dormitory.” The alternate days were arranged in the same manner, but instead of receiving lessons from masters unconnected with the Convent, the children studied under the superintendence of the ladies of the Abbey. On Sundays and holy-days (these latter being very numerous) the classes met at eight o’clock, the Gospel was read, and then all went to Mass at nine. At eleven the young girls attended a short lesson given by the directors, and at four o’clock went to Vespers. Hélène has not omitted to portray the mistresses of the blue class, and has sketched them with irreverent precision: “Madame de Montluc, called Mother Quatre Temps, kind, gentle, careful, too minute, and a busybody. “Madame de Montbourcher, called Sainte Macaire, kind, stupid, very ugly, believing in ghosts. “Madame de Fresnes, called Sainte Bathilde, ugly and kind; tells us many stories.” Fifteen lay sisters performed the service of the blue class. Though Hélène belonged to the youngest class, she had been temporarily placed in the dormitory of the elder girls--a source of great displeasure to them, as we shall soon see.