midnight
M. Marescot had disappeared after dessert . Madame Bordin again went over her recipe for gherkins , promised a second for plums with brandy , and made three turns in the large walk ; but , passing close to the linden tree , the end of her dress got caught , and they heard her murmuring : `` My God ! what a piece of idiocy this tree is ! '' At midnight the two hosts , beneath the arbour , gave vent to their resentment . No doubt one might find fault with two or three little details here and there in the dinner ; and yet the guests had gorged themselves like ogres , showing that it was not so bad . But , as for the garden , so much depreciation sprang from the blackest jealousy . And both of them , lashing themselves into a rage , went on : `` Ha !