nine o'clock
The youngster was in his long white nightgown , that kept tripping him up as Madame Ratignolle led him along by the hand . With the other chubby fist he rubbed his eyes , which were heavy with sleep and ill humor . Edna took him in her arms , and seating herself in the rocker , began to coddle and caress him , calling him all manner of tender names , soothing him to sleep . It was not more than nine o'clock . No one had yet gone to bed but the children . Leonce had been very uneasy at first , Madame Ratignolle said , and had wanted to start at once for the Cheniere . But Monsieur Farival had assured him that his wife was only overcome with sleep and fatigue , that Tonie would bring her safely back later in the day ; and he had thus been dissuaded from crossing the bay .