about midnight
He worked sullenly on , exchanging few words with his fellow-labourers , till the twilight compelled them to shoulder their tools ; and they then made their way , alas ! to the many public-houses near , and one of them we must enter with John Barker , and see the Sixpence , that little messenger of good -- that talent committed to his care -- far worse than wasted by its responsible owner . Happily , the payment was not long delayed , and glad shall we be to hide our eyes and stop our ears from all that goes on without in the till with our little friend . It is about midnight , the noisy guests are gone , the people of the house are in bed , and we may now venture forth from our hiding-place to look through the chink in the door . It is a clear frosty night . The moon , just rising , is brightly reflected in the water . The stars are looking silently down on the sleeping town .