midnight
However , it may be explained by the old proverb , of ` the devil was sick , ' As long as Dawson is stowed away in a dark hole , and fancies devils in every corner , he may be very anxious to make confessions , which , in broad day-light , might not seem to him so desirable . Darkness and solitude are strange stimulants to the conscience , and we may as well not lose any advantage they give us . '' `` You are an admirable reasoner , '' cried I , `` and I am impatient to accompany you -- at what hour shall it be ? '' `` Not much before midnight , '' answered Jonson , `` but your honour must go back to school and learn lessons before then . Suppose Bess were to address you thus : ` Well you parish bull prig , are you for lushing jackey , or pattering in the hum box ? ' -LSB- Note : Well , you parson thief , are you for drinking gin , or talking in the pulpit ? -RSB- I 'll be bound you would not know how to answer . ''