three o'clock
Two or three other wives generally joined the party now ; there would be seven or eight players about the round table . They all drank as they played , the room would get very warm , and reek of tobacco and of whiskey and beer . Sometimes Julia woke up with a terrified shout , and then , if Emeline were playing , she would get George , or one of the other men or women , to go in and quiet the little girl . These games would not break up until two or three o'clock . Emeline would be playing excitedly , her face flushed , her eyes shining , every fibre of her being alert , when suddenly the life would seem to fade out of the whole game . An overwhelming ennui would seize her , a cold , clear-eyed fatigue -- the cards would seem meaningless , a chill would shake her , a need of yawning . The whole company would be suddenly likewise affected , the game would break up with a few brief words , and Emeline , going in with her guests to help them with hats and wraps , would find herself utterly silent , too cold and weary for even the most casual civilities .