a quarter past six
Then they separated , each to his own duties , while the captain had plenty to do in seeing about the dinner . When they met again , as it was growing dark , they began to laugh at seeing each other as dandified and smart as on the day of a grand review . The commandant 's hair did not look so gray as it was in the morning , and the captain had shaved , and had only kept his moustache on , which made him look as if he had a streak of fire under his nose . In spite of the rain , they left the window open , and one of them went to listen from time to time , and at a quarter past six the baron said he heard a rumbling in the distance . They all rushed down , and soon the wagon drove up at a gallop with its four horses , which were splashed up to their backs , steaming and panting , and five women got out at the bottom of the steps , five handsome girls whom a comrade of the captain , to whom _ Le Devoir _ had taken his card , had selected with care . They had not required much pressing , as they were sure of being well paid , for they had got to know the Prussians in the three months during which they had had to do with them , and so they resigned themselves to the men as they did the state of affairs . `` It is a part of our business , so it must be done , '' they said as they drove along ; no doubt to allay some slight , secret scruples of conscience .