eight in the evening
`` Not a bit , '' cried Anita . `` I feel that I could play as long as you did , in the days of which you told me when you first came to America and would play the violin all night long for dancers on the East Side in New York . '' `` I believe you could , almost , '' replied Neroda , smiling . `` I , who had been a concert master in Italy , was only too glad to get three dollars for fiddling from eight in the evening until three in the morning ; but they were happy nights , because I was young and strong and full of hope and loved my fiddle . Sometimes , when I am leading the band in my fine uniform , I long to take the instrument away from one of the bandsmen and play it as I did in those days , without any baton to hold me back ; but the violin is a man 's instrument and requires much strength . Now , where , Signorina , in your girlish arms and little hands , did you get such strength ? '' `` It is here , '' said Anita , smiling and tapping her breast .