two in the
morning
But I grant you that there 's some dignity in a woman who 's a mother ; but by forty she becomes old , and then she must be a plaguey nuisance . No , Scarlett , I never married , thank God . Fancy being at the beck and call of a crotchety old beldame , at my time of life . No , sir ; I never knew what it was to be questioned and badgered when I came home at night , no matter if it was two in the morning . I can do as I like , sir : I need not go home at all . I 'm a free man . Now , take my advice , Scarlett ; be a free man too . ''