midnight
Your sister and I shall have to be at the wash-tub and ironing-board all night . '' The soldiers were very sorry this trouble should be caused by them . Was there no one in the village who could relieve them of this part of their work ? That the linen should be ready by the morning was indeed indispensable , as the Dauphiness might arrive at any hour of the next day : but to stand at the wash-tub at midnight ! -- it was terrible to think of . However terrible , there was no help for it . Every housewife in Saint Menehould had soldiers quartered upon her house , and her hands therefore full , instead of being able to wash for another .