nearly
midnight
`` A very good idea , my dear , '' said the old man , `` give me the bag and I will go out at once . '' The old woman gave him the bag and off he went . He was away a very long time . Indeed he did not get back till nearly midnight . When he set the bag down on the table the old woman could see that he had got a good many things , because the bag bulged so . `` How good of you , '' she said . `` Now show me what you have got . ''