midnight
`` Thank you , Germain , '' said the young woman , in a serious and impressive tone . `` I shall die with it on , and if I go before you , you must keep it for the marriage of your little Solange . '' IV -- The Cabbage THEY mounted and returned very quickly to Belair . The feast was bountiful , and , mingled with songs and dances , it lasted until midnight . For fourteen hours the old people did not leave the table . The grave-digger did the cooking , and did it very well . He was celebrated for this , and he would leave his fire to come in and dance and sing before and after every course .