midnight
` It 's worse than wearing soup tureens for hats , ' said Sam . ` It 's almost as bad as swallowing thistle buttons , ' said Bill , and both sang loudly -- ` It 's worse than running in a fright , Pursued by Polar bears ; It 's worse than being caught at night By lions in their lairs . ` It 's worse than barrel organs when They play from night till morn ; It 's worse than having large-sized men A-standing on your corn . ` It 's worse than when at midnight you Tread on a silent cat , To have a puddin ' - snatcher who Will not remove his hat . ' ` All is not yet lost , ' said Bunyip Bluegum . ` Without reverting to violent measures , I will engage to have the hat removed . ' ` You will ? '