midnight before
Aha , he had taken his stand ; he had made up his mind not to say anything . They would have to let the subject drop . The doctor , who had already taxed himself with stupidity in his heart -- oh dear , now he had aroused everybody 's curiosity instead of helping the Schliebens -- heard the gentlemen pass on to politics with great relief . It was midnight before the last guests left the villa . Their bright talk and laughter could still be heard distinctly from the end of the street in the silence of the night , as husband and wife met at the foot of the stairs leading up to the first floor . All the windows of the lower rooms were still open , the silver was still on the table , the costly china stood about -- let the servants put it away for the time being . Käte felt a great longing to see the child .