midnight
To the father 's eye he looked sullen and defiant Of course he was neither , but he was entirely hopeless of being understood , and therefore helpless to explain . ` Noo , Paul , ' said Armstrong , with a severity which he felt to be justified , ` I 'm goin ' to the bottom o ' this business . Ye 've absented yourself the haul day from the House o ' God . Ye 've not been seen since morning 's light , and it 's nigh-hand on midnight Whaur _ have _ ye been ? Answer me that at once , sir . ' ` In the Hoarstone Fields , ' said Paul . ` And wha 's been with ye , helping ye to desecrate God 's day ? '