midnight
Do n't look so fierce , Meister ! In catching fish we must be content even with smelts ; if I had n't taken these , others would have done so ; they are for my sister 's children , and there is something else hidden here in my doublet ; it shall help me to pass my leisure hours . One man 's meat is another man 's poison . '' When Hans Eitelfritz returned at midnight , the cart with the food and liquor was ready . Adam 's warnings were unavailing . Ruth resolutely insisted upon accompanying him , and he well knew what urged her to risk safety and life as freely as he did himself . Old Rahel had done her best to conceal Ruth 's beauty .