midnight
For a time they could make nothing of it ; but music being a universal language , both the spirit and rhythm of the tune soon began to be perceived and appreciated ; and , with a little schooling from Jones , who seemed not only to understand the music , but to be delighted with it , the dancers were placed in the order of a reel ; and , by a vigilant superintendence of their motions on the part of the latter , they contrived to get through the figure with tolerable correctness . All were delighted with the new dance . It was repeated again and again , and every time with increased success , and a diminishing necessity for the interference of Jones , who , having entered fully into the spirit of the mirthful train , whooped and yelled as vociferously as ever the laird had done . His enthusiasm was infectious ; all caught it -- even the broad-beamed wife of Vander Tromp , who moved under the inspiring influence of the laird 's bow with an agility that no one could have believed her ponderous person capable of ; while the others , including mine portly host himself , flung , and flew , and shuffled , as madly as the witches in the midnight dance in Alloway Kirk . The spell , in short , of the laird 's music was complete , and each owned the hilarious spirit which it was so well calculated to diffuse over all who were within reach of its influence -- in other words , over all who were within hearing of the laird 's admirably-played fiddle . Inspired with additional glee by these indications of the powerful effect of his music , the laird still further heightened its influence by breaking out , as he played , into short , abrupt shouts , which were responded to , from time to time , by the male dancers , but with most especial emphasis by Jones , who seemed to be , altogether , at the very acme of human enjoyment . It was while the revellers were thus dinning the drowsy ear of night with their obstreperous mirth , and while they were yet in the full career of enjoyment , that four persons suddenly entered the kitchen of the Drouthsloken .