midnight
`` Look here , '' said I , `` do n't you think I would better scratch that item off of the bill ? '' I drew my pencil through the `` one dozen Columbias . '' `` Now let us go through your whole stock and see if there are not other items you have duplicated , '' I suggested . We worked together for four hours -- until after midnight . It was the biggest mess of a stock I ever saw . When we got through I had cut down my order three-fourths . `` See , '' said I , showing the merchant my order-book and his stock list -- which every merchant should have when he goes to buy goods -- `` you have enough of some kinds to last you three years .