midnight
They stretched out their stomachs ; they leaned on the backs of their chairs , which made a cracking sound in consequence , and they kept repeating : `` Here we are in the place , then ! What happiness ! It seems to me that it is a dream ! '' Although it was midnight , Pécuchet conceived the idea of taking a turn round the garden . Bouvard made no objection . They took up the candle , and , screening it with an old newspaper , walked along the paths . They found pleasure in mentioning aloud the names of the vegetables .