midnight
And , while we supposed the old man to be reading the Bible to his old wife , -- she meanwhile knitting in the chimney-corner , -- the pair of hoary reprobates have whisked up the chimney , both on one broomstick , and flown away to a witch-communion , far into the depths of the chill , dark forest . How foolish ! Were it only for fear of rheumatic pains in their old bones , they had better have stayed at home . But away they went ; and the laughter of their decayed , cackling voices has been heard at midnight , aloft in the air . Now , in the sunny noontide , as they go tottering to the gallows , it is the Devil 's turn to laugh . Behind these two , -- who help another along , and seem to be comforting and encouraging each other , in a manner truly pitiful , if it were not a sin to pity the old witch and wizard , -- behind them comes a woman , with a dark proud face that has been beautiful , and a figure that is still majestic . Do you know her ?