the hour of twelve
And those little feet became more and more weary as the night went on . As soon as the play was over , the people rushed out into the fair to seek for fresh amusement ; but the actors had no rest . Once more they appeared on the platform to attract a fresh audience , and then the same play was repeated , the same songs were sung , the same words were said ; fresh to the people who were listening , but oh , how stale and monotonous to the actors themselves ! And so it went on all night ; as soon as one exhibition was over , another began , and the theatre was filled and refilled , long after the clock of the neighbouring church had struck the hour of twelve . At last it was over ; the last audience had left , the brilliant stars disappeared , and Rosalie was at liberty to creep back to her mother . So weary and exhausted was she , that she could hardly drag herself up the caravan steps . She opened the door very gently , that she might not disturb her mother , and then she tried to undress herself .