nine o'clock
From that day Marie found her old sweet sleep again . The second day Marie 's curiosity prompted her to signal to Ludwig half an hour earlier . He heard , and came as readily at half-past nine o'clock . And then the little maid -LRB- like all indulged children -RRB- abused her privileges : she signaled at nine o'clock , and at last at eight o'clock -- retiring with the birds in order to test if Ludwig would obey the signal . He always came promptly when the falling screen summoned him . And then Marie said to herself : `` He loves me . He loves me very much -- as the fakir loves his Brahma , as the Carthusian loves his sainted Virgin .