nine o'clock at night
Sebastian , who had an oddly judicial air , such as men acquire who are in authority , held the balance evenly between the sisters , and smiled apologetically over his fiddle towards the victim of Desiree 's impetuosity . `` Yes , '' he would reply to watching mothers , who tried to lead him to say that their daughter was the best dancer in the school : `` Yes , Mathilde puts it into their heads , and Desiree shakes it down to their feet . '' In all matters of the household Desiree played a similar part . She was up early and still astir after nine o'clock at night , when the other houses in the Frauengasse were quiet , if there were work to do . `` It is because she has no method , '' said Mathilde , who had herself a well-ordered mind , and that quickness which never needs to hurry . The moth will singe her wings , and singed return , Her love of light quenching her fear of pain . There are quite a number of people who get through life without realizing their own insignificance .