nine o'clock
Madame Tellier 's establishment had put on quite a holiday look . On the ground floor , a number of sailors were making a deafening noise , and Louise and Flora drank with one and the other , so as to merit their name of the two Pumps more than ever . They were being called for everywhere at once ; already they were not quite adequate to their business , and the night bid fair to be a very jolly one for them . The upstairs room was full by nine o'clock . Monsieur Vasse , the Judge of the Tribunal of Commerce , _ Madame 's _ usual , but Platonic wooer , was talking to her in a corner , in a low voice , and they were both smiling , as if they were about to come to an understanding . Monsieur Poulin , the ex-mayor , was holding Rosa on his knees ; and she , with her nose close to his , was running her hands through the old gentleman 's white whiskers . Tall Fernande , who was lying on the sofa , had both her feet on Monsieur Pinipesse , the tax-collector 's stomach , and her back on young Monsieur Philippe 's waistcoat ; her right arm was round his neck , while she held a cigarette in her left .