midnight
John was in raptures at the sight of three half crowns and a sixpence , and eagerly seized it , box and all , together with a few hoarded halfpence at the bottom , though he had only asked to borrow half a crown . None but one whose heart was hardened by a long course of drunkenness could have taken away the whole , and for such a purpose . He told her she should certainly have it again next morning , and , indeed , intended to pay it , not doubting but he should double the sum . But John overrated his own skill , or luck , for he lost every farthing to the blacksmith , and sneaked home before midnight , and quietly walked up to bed . He was quite sober , which Hester thought a good sign . Next morning she asked him , in a very humble way , for the money , which she said she would not have done , but that if the gown was not bought directly it would not be ready in time for the feast . John 's conscience had troubled him a little for what he had done -- for when he was not drunk he was not ill-natured -- and he stammered out a broken excuse , but owned he had lost the money , and had not a farthing left .