midnight
_ A goldsmith of Paris , once , in order to complete some of his wares in time for the fair of Lendit , laid in a large stock of willow charcoal . It happened one day amongst others , that the waggoner who delivered this charcoal , knowing that the goldsmith was in great haste , brought two waggons more than he had on any previous day , but hardly had he entered Paris with the last load than the city gates were shut on his heels . Nevertheless , he was well received by the goldsmith , and after the charcoal was unloaded , and the horses stabled , they all supped at their leisure , and made great cheer , and drank heavily . Just as the meal finished the clock struck midnight , which astonished them greatly , so quickly had the time passed at supper . Each one thanked God , and being heavy-eyed , only asked to go to bed , but as it was so late , the goldsmith detained the waggoner , fearing that he might meet the watch , who would have put him into the Châtelet had they found him at that hour of the night . At that time the goldsmith had many persons working for him , and he was obliged to make the waggoner lie with him and his wife , and , not being of a suspicions nature , he made his wife lie between him and the waggoner . He had great trouble to arrange this , for the good waggoner refused his hospitality , and would rather have slept in the barn or stable , but he was obliged to obey the goldsmith .