midnight
At half past eleven a footman opened the door leading into the dining-room and solemnly announced that supper was served . They supped and toasted , ate and drank amid the clatter of knives , forks , dishes , and spoons . Kseniya made Arkhipov , Polunin , a General and a Magistrate sit beside her . At midnight , just as they were expecting the clock to chime , Kseniya Ippolytovna rose to propose a toast ; in her right hand was a glass ; her left was flung back behind her plaited hair ; she held her head high . All the guests at once rose to their feet . `` I am a woman , '' she cried aloud . `` I drink to ourselves , to women , to the gentle , to the homely , to happiness and purity !