nine o’clock
The two rose late on Christmas morning . Ten o'clock had struck before Madame Descoings began to bestir herself about the breakfast , which was only ready at half-past eleven . At that hour , the oblong frames containing the winning numbers are hung over the doors of the lottery-offices . If Madame Descoings had paid her stake and held her ticket , she would have gone by half-past nine o'clock to learn her fate at a building close to the ministry of Finance , in the rue Neuve-des-Petits Champs , a situation now occupied by the Theatre Ventadour in the place of the same name . On the days when the drawings took place , an observer might watch with curiosity the crowd of old women , cooks , and old men assembled about the door of this building ; a sight as remarkable as the cue of people about the Treasury on the days when the dividends are paid . `` Well , here you are , rolling in wealth ! '' said old Desroches , coming into the room just as the Descoings was swallowing her last drop of coffee .