midnight
`` I was but jesting , _ mon ami _ , '' Grodwitz assured me . `` But now your ordeal is over . You will take a hand at bridge , _ hein _ ? '' That hand at bridge lasted till long past midnight , and I only got away at last on the plea that I was dead tired after my two days ' ride . `` Tired or not , you play a good hand , _ mon ami _ ! '' Grodwitz declared . We had been partners , and had won all before us .