midnight
It took a time of its own , for one of the secrets of good gruel is a long acquaintance with the fire . -- Many a time the picture of that room returned to him in far different circumstances , like a dream of quiet and self-sustained delight -- though his one companion was an aged woman . When he had taken it , he fell asleep once more , and when he woke again , it was in the middle of the night . The lamp was nearly burned out : it had a long , red , disreputable nose , that spoke of midnight hours and exhausted oil . The old lady was dozing in her chair . The clock had just struck something , for the sound of its bell was yet faintly pulsing in the air . He sat up , and looked out into the room .