eight o'clock
Did they wear mantillas ? Did they never wear hats ? After supper the young people played charades for the amusement of their elders , who sat gossiping between their guesses . All the shops in Sainte-Agnes were closed at eight o'clock that night , so that the merchants and their clerks could attend the fair . The auction was the liveliest part of the entertainment , for the French boys always lost their heads when they began to bid , satisfied that their extravagance was in a good cause . After all the pincushions and sofa pillows and embroidered slippers were sold , Emil precipitated a panic by taking out one of his turquoise shirt studs , which every one had been admiring , and handing it to the auctioneer . All the French girls clamored for it , and their sweethearts bid against each other recklessly .