midnight
`` It would be a crown of glory to Nitschkan if she had it ; but it is a shame to me , a man , to have to wear it so long . No one in the camp could possibly know that I have ears . '' Gallito at first absolutely refused to listen to him , but so adroitly did José bring up the subject every evening that he began to make some impression on his stern jailer . He was careful , though , not to mention his hopes until near midnight , when Gallito 's normally harsh mood was greatly softened not only by winning the final game , which José invariably permitted now , but also by the mellowing influence of his bland , old cognac . Then Gallito would embark on an argument , determined to convince José of the wild folly of his desire . Their debate continued for several evenings and finally ended , as José meant it should , in Gallito giving a reluctant consent , under certain conditions which he insisted should be rigidly carried out . He admitted that it was unlikely that any suspicion would be aroused in the village .