midnight
From every house , though it were the humblest , a word of love , as sweet , in truth , as if we could have heard the voice of angels singing in the sky . I bade Harry good night ; took Lycidas to his lodgings , and gave his wife my Christmas wishes and good night ; and , coming down to the sleigh again , gave way to the feeling which I think you will all understand , that this was not the time to stop , but just the time to begin . For the streets were stiller now , and the moon brighter than ever , if possible , and the blessings of these simple people and of the grand people , and of the very angels in heaven , who are not bound to the misery of using words when they have anything worth saying , -- all these wishes and blessings were round me , all the purity of the still winter night , and I did n't want to lose it all by going to bed to sleep . So I put the boys all together , where they could chatter , took one more brisk turn on the two avenues , and then , passing through Charles Street , I believe I was even thinking of Cambridge , I noticed the lights in Woodhull 's house , and , seeing they were up , thought I would make Fanny a midnight call . She came to the door herself . I asked if she were waiting for Santa Claus , but saw in a moment that I must not joke with her . She said she had hoped I was her husband .