two o’clock
she asked . `` No , let her sleep ; she has been up half the night , '' he replied , gravely . The man was always grave , even when he allowed himself to jest . Annette had in fact opened the door secretly to Sibilet , Fourchon , and Catherine Tonsard , who all came at different hours between eleven and two o'clock . Ten minutes later Rigou , dressed with more care than usual , came downstairs and greeted his wife with a `` Good-morning , my old woman , '' which made her happier than if counts had knelt at her feet . `` Jean , '' he said to the ex-lay-brother , `` do n't leave the house ; if any one robs me it will be worse for you than for me . '' By thus mingling mildness and severity , hopes and rebuffs , the clever egoist kept his three slaves faithful and close at his heels , like dogs .