eight in the morning
The girls of the city were not indeed among those who were most dissatisfied , but a strict watch was kept over them , and it was considered not decent to show pleasure at the visit of such rabble . The few soldiers who were natives of the district only were treated like kings . The others were regarded as invaders . At eight in the morning a lieutenant-colonel of cavalry entered the house of Dona Perfecta Polentinos with his billet . He was received by the servants , by order of its mistress , who , being at the time in a deplorable state of mind , did not wish to go down stairs to meet the soldier , and by them he was shown to the only room in the house which , it seemed , was disposable , the room occupied by Pepe Rey . `` Let them settle themselves as best they can , '' said Dona Perfecta , with an expression of gall and vinegar . `` And if they have not room enough , let them go into the street . ''