midnight
He found himself suddenly in a long gallery , half in the dusk , half in the lamplight , pacing slowly back and forth , waiting for something , he knew not what . To him came a bustling motherly old woman with a maid 's cap on , who said , `` Sure , Master Ben , the moon is shining , and , let me tell ye , at the end of the hall is a balcony of iron , and Miss Mary will be glad you know that same . '' And at that he seemed to himself to be hunting for a coin with which to tip her . He discovered it turned to lead between his fingers , whereupon the old woman laughed shrilly and disappeared , and he found himself alone on the prairie at midnight . His mind seemed to be filled with great thoughts which would make him famous . Over and over again he said to himself : `` The rain pours and the people down below chuckle as they move about each under his little umbrella of self-conceit . They look up to the mountain , saying , ` The fool !