midnight
We be great people in Jamaica . Up in de hills ` bove Spanish Town , we are de kings and de queens . De great Obi spirit come down to us , when de moon am at its last quarter , an he tell us how to cure and how to kill . We mix de charm at midnight , wid de great Obi ` pearin ' to us all de time in de smoke dat rises from de kettle , an de secret words all de time a mutterin ' ; and de charm works , an kills or cures ` way off hunerds of miles , ` cordin ' as we want um for our friens or our enemies . Does you hear , honey ? '' `` I hear ! '' said Egbert Crawford , for the moment absorbed if not fascinated by the developments of this real or affected superstition ; but not carried away , it may be believed , from the influence which this hideous old woman might be able to exert on his own fortunes .