three hours after midnight
`` It was only yesterday that you were saying that old soldiers were the best for night-watches . '' The Emperor nodded , and then said : `` At your age while we are awake we live three times as fast as at mine , and so we need to sleep twice as long . You have every right to be tired . To be sure it was not till three hours after midnight that we climbed the mountain , and how often a supper party is not over before that . '' `` It was very cold and uncomfortable up there . '' `` Not till after the sun had risen . '' `` Ah !