midnight
Do you know what I shall call that girl ? I shall call her Rosa ; and I 'll tell you a long story about her . There was once upon a time -- '' All the sisters listened eagerly , for Petrea could relate better and prettier stories than any of them . It was therefore said among themselves that Petrea was very clever ; but as the Queen-bee was desirous that Petrea should not build much on this opinion , she now listened to her history without bestowing upon it one token of applause , although it was found to be sufficiently interesting to keep the whole little auditorium awake till midnight . `` What will become of my preserves ? '' thought Elise , one day as she remarked the quantity which vanished from the plate of the Candidate ; but when that same evening she saw the little Gabriele merrily , and without reproof , pulling about his curls ; when she saw him join the children at their play , and make every game which they played instructive to them ; when she saw him armed with a great paper weapon , which he called his sword , and deal about blows to those who counted false , thereby exciting greater activity of mind as well as more mirth , she thought to herself , `` he may eat just as much preserves as he likes ; I will take care that he never goes short of them . '' If , however , the Candidate rose higher in the regards of one party , there still was another with which his actions did not place him in the best point of view .