midnight
`` I thank you , my Lord Abbot , '' answered Martin , `` but I may not touch flesh ; this is Friday . '' `` Friday or no we have touched flesh -- the flesh of men -- up at the Towers yonder this night , '' answered the Abbot , with an uneasy laugh . `` Still , obey your conscience , Brother , and eat bread . Soon it will be midnight , and the meat can follow . '' The lean monk bowed , and , taking a hunch of bread , began to bite at it , for he was almost starving . `` Have you come from watching by the body of that bloody and rebellious man who has worked us so much harm and loss ? '' asked the Abbot presently .