eight o’clock
`` I 'll wager those three men I saw you talking with are Ref -- '' `` Hold your tongue , wife ! '' said the cautious old man with white hair who was turning over a thick ledger . `` You dawdling fellows , '' he went on , addressing three journeymen , who had long finished their suppers , `` why do n't you go to bed ? It is eight o'clock , and you have to be up at five ; besides , you must carry home to-night President de Thou 's cap and mantle . All three of you had better go , and take your sticks and rapiers ; and then , if you meet scamps like yourselves , at least you 'll be in force . '' `` Are we going to take the ermine surcoat the young queen has ordered to be sent to the hotel des Soissons ? there 's an express going from there to Blois for the queen-mother , '' said one of the clerks .