midnight
The inference was plain : the star was to be humoured even at the cost of a crippled play . Between love for the woman and respect for his work , desire to please her and determination not to misrepresent himself to the public , Staff , torn this way and that , felt that he had at length learned the true meaning of `` the horns of dilemma . '' But this reflection availed nothing to soothe his temper . When he got out of the cab a short but sharp argument ensued with the operator ; it seemed that `` the clock '' was out of order and not registering -- had struck in conformance to the time-honoured custom of the midnight taximeter union . But the driver 's habitual demand for two and one-half times the proper fare by distance proved in this instance quite fruitless . Staff calmly counted out the right amount , put it in the man 's hand , listened with critical appreciation to the resultant flow of profanity until it verged upon personality , then deliberately dragged the man by the scruff of his neck , choking and cursing , from his seat to the sidewalk . `` Now , listen , '' said he in a level tone : `` you 've got either to put up or shut up .