midnight
Monica ate a mouthful of bread and cheese , which was in readiness on the long table down in the basement , and at once went to bed . But no welcome drowsiness fell upon her . At half-past eleven , when two of the other five girls who slept in the room made their appearance , she was still changing uneasily from side to side . They lit the gas -LRB- it was not turned off till midnight , after which hour the late arrivals had to use a candle of their own procuring -RRB- , and began a lively conversation on the events of the day . Afraid of being obliged to talk , Monica feigned sleep . At twelve , just as the gas went out , another pair came to repose . They had been quarrelling , and were very gloomy .