midnight
Then he sat a long time by the light of the earthenware lamp which Dunstan occasionally tended with an iron pin , lest the charring wick should slip into the half-melted fat and go out altogether . When he was not watching the wick , the man 's eyes fixed themselves upon his master 's grave face . `` Sir , '' he said at last , `` you are sad . This is the Holy Eve , and all the army will watch till midnight , when the first masses begin . If it please you , let us walk through the camp and see what we may . The tents of the great lords are all lighted up by this time and the soldiers are singing the Christmas hymns . '' Gilbert shook his head indifferently , but said nothing .