six o’clock
The women of this society took little pains with their dress , except on Wednesdays , when Mademoiselle Cormon gave a dinner , on which occasion the guests invited on the previous Wednesday paid their `` visit of digestion . '' Wednesdays were gala days : the assembly was numerous ; guests and visitors appeared in fiocchi ; some women brought their sewing , knitting , or worsted work ; the young girls were not ashamed to make patterns for the Alencon point lace , with the proceeds of which they paid for their personal expenses . Certain husbands brought their wives out of policy , for young men were few in that house ; not a word could be whispered in any ear without attracting the attention of all ; there was therefore no danger , either for young girls or wives , of love-making . Every evening , at six o'clock , the long antechamber received its furniture . Each habitue brought his cane , his cloak , his lantern . All these persons knew each other so well , and their habits and ways were so familiarly patriarchal , that if by chance the old Abbe de Sponde was lying down , or Mademoiselle Cormon was in her chamber , neither Josette , the maid , nor Jacquelin , the man-servant , nor Mariette , the cook , informed them . The first comer received the second ; then , when the company were sufficiently numerous for whist , piquet , or boston , they began the game without awaiting either the Abbe de Sponde or mademoiselle .