midnight
When she had heard all the tale , she looked troubled : `` I know my Ann , '' quoth she . `` When she has once given her promise to the Bookworm all the twelve Apostles would not make her break it , and then she will be doomed to misery , and her fate and your brother 's are both sealed . '' She then went on to ask when the Magister was to return home , and as I told her he was expected on the morrow great trouble came upon her . It was past midnight or ever I left her , and as it fell I slept but ill and late , insomuch that I was compelled to make good haste , and as it fell that I went to the window I saw the snow whirling in the wind , and behold , in the shed , a great wood-sleigh was being made ready , doubtless for some sick man to be carried to the convent . I found my aunt in the hall , whither she scarce ever was carried down before noon-day ; and instead of her every-day garb -- a loose morning-gown - -- she was apparelled in strange and shapeless raiment , so muffled in kerchiefs and cloaks as to seem no whit like any living woman , much less herself , insomuch that her small thin person was like nothing else than a huge , shapeless , many-coated onion . Her little face peeped out of the veils and kerchiefs that wrapped her head , like a half-moon out of thick clouds ; but her bright eyes shone kindly on me as she cried : `` Come , haste to your breakfast , lie-a-bed ! I thought to find you fitted and ready , and you are keeping the men waiting as though it were an every-day matter that we should travel together . ''