midnight
he asked . `` Morning , forsooth ! '' Hubert answered . `` Three more hours , and we reach only midnight . '' And both young men -LRB- for different reasons -RRB- wished in their hearts it were later . `` Thou speakest somewhat curtly for a friar , '' said Geoffrey . `` Alas , I am but a novice , brother , '' whined the minstrel , `` and fall easily back into my ancient and godless syntax .