midnight
I am not what is called a man of imagination ; it is my habit to exclude most things not capable of mathematical demonstration ; but I am not without a certain psychological insight , and I think I understood Mr. Jaffrey 's case . I could easily understand how a man with an unhealthy , sensitive nature , overwhelmed by sudden calamity , might take refuge in some forlorn place like this old tavern , and dream his life away . To such a man -- brooding forever on what might have been and dwelling wholly in the realm of his fancies -- the actual world might indeed become as a dream , and nothing seem real but his illusions . I dare say that thirteen years of Bayley 's Four-Corners would have its effect upon me ; though instead of conjuring up golden-haired children of the Madonna , I should probably see gnomes and kobolds , and goblins engaged in hoisting false signals and misplacing switches for midnight express trains . `` No doubt , '' I said to myself that night , as I lay in bed , thinking over the matter , `` this once possible but now impossible child is a great comfort to the old gentleman -- a greater comfort , perhaps , than a real son would be . Maybe Andy will vanish with the shades and mists of night , he 's such an unsubstantial infant ; but if he does n't , and Mr. Jaffrey finds pleasure in talking to me about his son , I shall humor the old fellow . It would n't be a Christian act to knock over his harmless fancy . ''