midnight
Be quick , for pity 's sake . '' `` My boy , '' answered the calm little animal -- `` my boy , I am a snail , and snails are never in a hurry . '' And the window was shut again . Shortly afterwards midnight struck ; then one o'clock , then two o'clock , and the door remained still closed . Pinocchio at last , losing all patience , seized the knocker in a rage , intending to give a blow that would resound through the house . But the knocker , which was iron , turned suddenly into an eel and , slipping out of his hands , disappeared in the stream of water that ran down the middle of the street . `` Ah !