midnight
Nor did the company fail to participate in these preparatory schoolings . What frightful heads in curl-papers would appear at breakfast and dinner ! What buttoned-up coats and black cravats refuse all investigation on the score of linen ! What mysterious cookings of cosmetics at midnight , with petty thefts of lard and thick cream ! What washings of kid gloves , that when washed would never go on again ! What inventions of French-polish that refused all persuasions to dry , but continued to stick to and paint everything it came in contact with ! Then there were high dresses cut down , like frigates razeed ; frock-coats reduced to dress ones ; mock lace and false jewelry were at a premium ; and all the little patchwork devices of ribbons , bows , and carnations , gimp , gauze , and geraniums , were put into requisition , -- petty acts of deception that each saw through in her neighbor , but firmly believed were undetectable in herself .