midnight
You are right , Desi . Let him who says something keep his word . '' Then the banquet began . It is a peculiar study for an abstainer to look on at a midnight carousal , with a perfectly sober head , and to be the only audience and critic at this `` divina comedia '' where everyone acts unwittingly . The first act commenced with the toasts . He to whom God had given rhetorical talent raises his glass , begs for silence , -- which at first he receives and later not receiving tries to assure for himself by his stentorian voice ; -- and with a very serious face , utters very serious phrases : -- one is a master of grace , another of pathos : a third quotes from the classics , a fourth humorizes , and himself laughs at his success , while everybody finishes the scene with clinking of glasses , and embraces , to the accompaniment of clarion `` hurrahs . '' Later come more fiery declamations , general outbursts of patriotic bitterness .