midnight
Above the door was a small board , nearly square , upon which was painted in lead-colour on a black ground the words , `` Licensed to sell beer , spirits , and tobacco to be drunk on the premises . '' There was no other sign . `` Them ` at likes my whusky ` ill no aye be speerin ' my name , '' said Mistress Croale . As the day went on she would have more and more customers , and in the evening on to midnight , her parlour would be well filled . Then she would be always at hand , and the spring of the bell would be turned aside from the impact of the opening door . Now the bell was needful to recall her from house affairs . `` The likin ' ` at craturs his for clean dirt !