nearly midnight
I can tell you that I was very glad when I was able to slip that great lump of tow out of my mouth as soon as I entered the forest . '' `` I do n't think in future that you need use so large a wad , Paolo ; half that size will be ample ; and of course you need only slip it into your mouth when we are going through a village , or meet a party likely to question us . As to your cheek , it will be days before that fiery mark disappears . '' They talked until nearly midnight , and then lay down and slept till four , by which time day had broken , for it was now the first week in July . After walking for half an hour along the edge of the wood , they came to a track issuing out of it . This they followed , and in about two hours saw a village in front of them . `` I will go in and buy the things that we want , Paolo , and do you make a circuit round it .