midnight
Now Calandrino , like the simple soul that he was , marking the composed and grave countenance with which Maso spoke , could not have believed him more thoroughly , if he had uttered the most patent truth , and thus taking his words for gospel : -- '' 'T is a trifle too far for my purse , '' quoth he ; `` were it nigher , I warrant thee , I would go with thee thither one while , just to see the macaroni come tumbling down , and take my fill thereof . But tell me , so good luck befall thee , are none of these stones , that have these rare virtues , to be found in these regions ? '' `` Ay , '' replied Maso , `` two sorts of stone are found there , both of virtues extraordinary . The one sort are the sandstones of Settignano and Montisci , which being made into millstones , by virtue thereof flour is made ; wherefore 't is a common saying in those countries that blessings come from God and millstones from Montisci : but , for that these sandstones are in great plenty , they are held cheap by us , just as by them are emeralds , whereof they have mountains , bigger than Monte Morello , that shine at midnight , a God 's name ! And know this , that whoso should make a goodly pair of millstones , and connect them with a ring before ever a hole was drilled in them , and take them to the Soldan , should get all he would have thereby . The other sort of stone is the heliotrope , as we lapidaries call it , a stone of very great virtue , inasmuch as whoso carries it on his person is seen , so long as he keep it , by never another soul , where he is not . '' `` These be virtues great indeed , '' quoth Calandrino ; `` but where is this second stone to be found ? ''