midnight
He 'd be delighted to think you are beginning to set to work so soon ! '' To which our hero replied , that he was much obliged to Mr. Smalls for his kind advice , and if such were the customs of the place , he should do his best to fulfil them . `` Perhaps you 'll be surprised at our simple repast , Verdant , '' said Mr. Larkyns ; `` but it 's our misfortune . It all comes of hard reading and late hours : the midnight oil , you know , must be supplied , and ~ will ~ be paid for ; the nervous system gets strained to excess , and you have to call in the doctor . Well , what does he do ? Why , he prescribes a regular course of tonics ; and I flatter myself that I am a very docile patient , and take my bitter beer regularly , and without complaining . '' In proof of which Mr. Charles Larkyns took a long pull at the pewter .