midnight
Nor did I tell him that I had by me my aunt 's prayer-book , wishing to examine for myself more closely whether he was right , after he should have gone . ` I must be away , ' he said at last , ` though loath to leave this good fire and liquor . I would fain wait till Elzevir was back , and fainer till this gale was spent , but it may not be ; the nights are short , and I must be out of Purbeck before sunrise . So tell Block what I say , that he and thou must flit ; and pass the flask , for I have fifteen miles to walk against the wind , and must keep off these midnight chills . ' He drank again , and then rose to his feet , shaking himself like a dog ; and walking briskly across the cave twice or thrice to make sure , as I thought , that the Ararat milk had not confused his steps . Then he shook my hand warmly , and disappeared in the deep shadow of the passage-mouth . The wind was blowing more fitfully than before , and there was some sign of a lull between the gusts .