three in the
morning
Once every ten days , in the evening after his dinner , he would venture there and take up his favorite position . And he was no talker , his mouth almost seemed sewn up , as he sat with his eyes fixed on Gervaise , and only removed his pipe to laugh at everything she said . When they were working late on a Saturday he would stay on , and appeared to amuse himself more than if he had gone to a theatre . Sometimes the women stayed in the shop ironing until three in the morning . A lamp hung from the ceiling and spread a brilliant light making the linen look like fresh snow . The apprentice would put up the shop shutters , but since these July nights were scorching hot , the door would be left open . The later the hour the more casual the women became with their clothes while trying to be comfortable .