midnight
`` To put it redundantly , then , I have sketched in my poem a man in the subway , with influenza , which infects others in his vicinity . '' She rose , smiled , and sauntered off , leaving him utterly unable to determine whether or not he had been outrageously imposed upon . Palla rescued him , and he went with her , a little wild-eyed , downstairs to the nearly empty and carpetless drawing-room , where a music box was playing and people were already dancing . Toward midnight , Marya , passing Jim on her way to the front door , leaned wide from Vanya 's arm : `` Let us at least discuss my rainbow theory , '' she said , laughing , and her face a shade too close to his ; and continued on , still clinging to the sleeve of Vanya 's fur-lined coat . Ilse was the last to leave , with Estridge waiting behind her to hold her wrap . She came up to Palla , took both her hands in an odd , subdued , wistful way . After a moment she kissed her , and , close to her ear : `` Wait , darling . ''