midnight
Higgins proved to be a garrulous old fellow , who needed no urging to talk about the late earl ; indeed , it was almost impossible to deflect his conversation into any other channel . Twenty years ' intimacy with the eccentric nobleman had largely obliterated that sense of deference with which an English servant usually approaches his master . An English underling 's idea of nobility is the man who never by any possibility works with his hands . The fact that Lord Chizelrigg had toiled at the carpenter 's bench ; had mixed cement in the drawing-room ; had caused the anvil to ring out till midnight , aroused no admiration in Higgins 's mind . In addition to this , the ancient nobleman had been penuriously strict in his examination of accounts , exacting the uttermost farthing , so the humble servitor regarded his memory with supreme contempt . I realised before the drive was finished from the station to Chizelrigg Chase that there was little use of introducing me to Higgins as a foreigner and a fellow-servant . I found myself completely unable to understand what the old fellow said .