midnight
said Harry with assumed ruefulness `` He has a mansion in Cheyne Walk and a balcony looking over the river , and a vigilant housekeeper who allows no latch-key and turns off the gas at eleven . She gives him perfect little dinners , and makes him too comfortable by half : we poor apprentices to law lodge and fare very rudely . '' `` He has the air of being well done to , which is more than could be said for you when first you arrived at home , Harry , '' remarked his mother with what struck Bessie as a long and wistful gaze . `` Too much smell of the midnight oil is poison to country lungs -- mind what I tell you , '' said the doctor , emphasizing his words with a grave nod at the young man . `` He ought to be content with less of his theatres and his operas and supper-parties if he will read and write so furiously . A young fellow ca n't combine the lives of a man of study and a man of leisure without stealing too many hours from his natural rest . But I talk in vain -- talk you , Mr. Carnegie , '' said Christie with earnestness .