a few minutes after
midnight
I 'm thoroughly ashamed of that public in lacquered leather , that sees me walking in broken boots . I 'm heartily ashamed of that well-fed , well-dressed , sleek society , that never so much as asked whether the intellectual-looking man in the shabby hat , who looked so lovingly at the spiced beef in the window , had dined yet , or was he fasting for a wager ? ' ` There , do n't carry away that newspaper ; I want to read over that pleasant paragraph again ! ' The two friends were deposited at the Moate station at a few minutes after midnight , and their available resources amounting to something short of two shillings , and the fare of a car and horse to Kilgobbin being more than three times that amount , they decided to devote their small balance to purposes of refreshment , and then set out for the castle on foot . ` It is a fine moonlight ; I know all the short cuts , and I want a bit of walking besides , ' said Kearney ; and though Joe was of a self-indulgent temperament , and would like to have gone to bed after his supper and trusted to the chapter of accidents to reach Kilgobbin by a conveyance some time , any time , he had to yield his consent and set out on the road . ` The fellow who comes with the letter-bag will fetch over our portmanteau , ' said Dick , as they started . ` I wish you 'd give him directions to take charge of me , too , ' said Joe , who felt very indisposed to a long walk .