midnight
The thought of hardship or wrong had not occurred to him . It would have been difficult -- impossible , I believe -- to get the idea into his head that existence bore to him any other shape than it ought . Things were with him as they had always been , and whence was he to take a fresh start , and question what had been from the beginning ? Had any authority interfered , with a decree that Gibbie should no more scour the midnight streets , no more pass and repass that far-shining splendour of red , then indeed would bitter , though inarticulate , complaint have burst from his bosom . But there was no evil power to issue such a command , and Gibbie 's peace was not invaded . It was now late , and those streets were empty ; neither carriage nor cart , wheelbarrow nor truck , went any more bumping and clattering over their stones . They were well lighted with gas , but most of the bordering houses were dark .