about four in the morning
The chemist and the cure plunged anew into their occupations , not without sleeping from time to time , of which they accused each other reciprocally at each fresh awakening . Then Monsieur Bournisien sprinkled the room with holy water and Homais threw a little chlorine water on the floor . Felicite had taken care to put on the chest of drawers , for each of them , a bottle of brandy , some cheese , and a large roll . And the druggist , who could not hold out any longer , about four in the morning sighed -- `` My word ! I should like to take some sustenance . '' The priest did not need any persuading ; he went out to go and say mass , came back , and then they ate and hobnobbed , giggling a little without knowing why , stimulated by that vague gaiety that comes upon us after times of sadness , and at the last glass the priest said to the druggist , as he clapped him on the shoulder -- `` We shall end by understanding one another . '' In the passage downstairs they met the undertaker 's men , who were coming in .