midnight
then he muttered again between his teeth , ` The time must come , I am very sure it must . It will be all the better for coming late ' ; and then he sighed and fell into his former musing state , and still holding the child between his knees appeared to be insensible to everything around him . By this time it wanted but a few minutes of midnight and I rose to go , which recalled him to himself . ` One moment , sir , ' he said , ` Now , Kit -- near midnight , boy , and you still here ! Get home , get home , and be true to your time in the morning , for there 's work to do . Good night ! There , bid him good night , Nell , and let him be gone ! '