nearly twelve o'clock at night
Mr. Fenwick made some lame apology , even for these offences . Sam had , perhaps , not really known the extent of the iniquity of the men with whom he had associated , and had come up the garden probably with a view to the fruit . The matter was discussed at great length , and the Squire at last promised that he would give Sam another chance in regard to his own estimation of the young man 's character . On that same evening , -- or , rather , after the evening was over , for it was nearly twelve o'clock at night , -- Fenwick walked round the garden and the orchard with his wife . There was no moon now , and the night was very dark . They stopped for a minute at the wicket leading into the churchyard , and it was evident to them that Bone 'm , from the farmyard at the other side of the church , had heard them , for he commenced a low growl , with which the parson was by this time well acquainted . `` Good dog , good dog , '' said the parson , in a low voice .