midnight
The length of the councils that were held with Mrs. Prodgit , under these circumstances , I will not attempt to describe . I will merely remark , that Mrs. Prodgit always consumed Sherry Wine while the deliberations were in progress ; that they always ended in Maria Jane 's being in wretched spirits on the sofa ; and that Maria Jane 's Mama always received me , when I was recalled , with a look of desolate triumph that too plainly said , ` Now , George Meek ! You see my child , Maria Jane , a ruin , and I hope you are satisfied ! ' I pass , generally , over the period that intervened between the day when Mrs. Prodgit entered her protest against male parties , and the ever-memorable midnight when I brought her to my unobtrusive home in a cab , with an extremely large box on the roof , and a bundle , a bandbox , and a basket , between the driver 's legs . I have no objection to Mrs. Prodgit -LRB- aided and abetted by Mrs. Bigby , who I never can forget is the parent of Maria Jane -RRB- taking entire possession of my unassuming establishment . In the recesses of my own breast , the thought may linger that a man in possession can not be so dreadful as a woman , and that woman Mrs. Prodgit ; but , I ought to bear a good deal , and I hope I can , and do . Huffing and snubbing , prey upon my feelings ; but , I can bear them without complaint .