Half past eight
Karl seated himself near him , and , though not yet venturing to address him , cast various glances of blandishment and persuasion upon him . Half an hour passed thus , and a second knock was followed by the entrance of Frau Schmidt . `` Good evening , gentlemen , '' she remarked , in a tone which said unutterable things -- scorn , contempt , pity -- all finely blended into a withering sneer , as she cast her eyes around , and a slight but awful smile played about her lips . `` Half past eight , and that blessed baby not in bed yet . I knew how it would be . And you all smoking , too -- _ natürlich ! _ You ought to know better , Herr Courvoisier -- you ought , at any rate , '' she added , scorn dropping into heart-piercing reproach .