midnight
`` O , not so late as that ! '' returned the man , drawing a rude chair before the fire and extending his small , thin hands to the grateful blaze . `` The village clock in the old church tower at Wimbledon was on the stroke of ten when I laid my bundle of sticks in their accustomed place , and set my face homewards . I must have travelled at a laggard pace , if it is already midnight . Are you lonesome when I 'm away , Edgar ? '' inquired he , turning his deep , melancholy eyes on the fair , open countenance of the youth . `` Sometimes I am , '' returned he ; `` I have been so to-night .