midnight
But what a squash ! It has an amount of personal distinction , an air of rarity and remoteness , that would make you think twice , nay , three times , before making such a precious product of the sacred earth into pies ! '' When he was chilled through and his hands were numb , Gerald remembered to pick up his candle and go to bed . No change of opinion , it is needless to say , had resulted from his midnight inquiry . A point of natural spite made him say that he did not ask people to like his pictures . All he asked was permission to go on painting as he pleased , obscure and independent , the sincere apostle of a peculiar creed , working out his problems with conscience and fidelity . If fate might send him critics whose opinion he valued he would be properly grateful .