midnight
Lend us that pightle , and receive our thanks ; ` twould be a favour , though not much to grant : we neither ask for Stonehenge nor for Tempe . '' My friend looked somewhat perplexed ; after a moment , however , he said , with a firm but gentlemanly air , `` Sir , I am sorry that I can not comply with your request . '' `` Not comply ! '' said the man , his brow becoming dark as midnight ; and with a hoarse and savage tone , `` Not comply ! why not ? '' `` It is impossible , sir ; utterly impossible ! '' `` Why so ? ''