two o’clock in the morning
`` Let us hope so , '' said Cesar , who thereupon went off into an harangue to the clerks , which he wound up by inviting them to the ball . The vision of a ball inspired the three clerks , Raguet , and Virginie the cook with an ardor that gave them the strength of acrobats . They came and went up and down the stairs , carrying everything and breaking nothing . By two o'clock in the morning the removal was effected . Cesar and his wife slept on the second floor . Popinot 's bedroom became that of Celestin and the second clerk . On the third floor the furniture was stored provisionally .