midnight
Here , on the broad , desk-like arm of his chair , where so many state documents had lain for signature , most of his meals were served . Here , free from the ghosts that haunted the upper rooms , he dreamed his dream of a greater kingdom . Mathilde kept his house for him , mended and pressed his uniforms , washed and starched his linen , quarreled with the orderly who attended him , and drove him to bed at night . `` It is midnight , '' she would say firmly -- or one o'clock , or even later , for the Chancellor was old , and needed little sleep . `` Give me the book . '' Because , if she did not take it , he would carry it off to bed , and reading in bed is bad for the eyes . `` Just a moment , Mathilde , '' he would say , and finish a paragraph .