midnight
This is the way you pay me for lettin ' you go to church of a Sunday . Ca n't give a nigger religion without his gettin ' a big devil in him at the same time . '' Manfredo passes the wine to her guests , in sullen silence , and they drink to the prosperity of the house . And now it is past midnight ; the music in the next parlor has ceased , St. Michael 's clock has struck the hour of one , and business is at an end in the house of the old hostess . A few languid-looking guests still remain , the old hostess is weary with the fatigues of the night , and even the gas seems to burn dimmer . The judge and Mr. Snivel are the last to take their departure , and bid the hostess good-night . `` I could not call the fellow out , '' says the judge , as they wend their way into King street .