two in the morning
The square head-dresses upheld the cloth so evenly that it was impossible to discern the contour of a brow outlined by its folds . After ten minutes ' hesitation , Germain shut his eyes , commended his soul to God , and stretched out the wand at random . It touched the forehead of little Marie , who cast the cloth from her , and shouted with triumph . Then it was his right to kiss her , and lifting her in his strong arms , he bore her to the middle of the room , where together they opened the dance , which lasted until two in the morning . The company separated to meet again at eight . As many people had come from the country round , and as there were not beds enough for everybody , each of the village maidens took to her bed two or three other girls , while the men spread themselves pell-mell on the hay in the barn-loft . You can imagine well that they had little sleep , for they did nothing but wrestle and joke , and tell foolish stories .