about
midnight
I had not , however , gone many times to the sheep , before all the rest of the shepherds told my master that I knew nothing about herding , and begged of him to dismiss me . He perceived too well the truth of their intelligence ; but , being much taken with my learning and religious conversation , he would not put me away , but set me to herd his cattle . It was lucky for me that before I came here a report had prevailed , perhaps for an age , that this farm-house was haunted at certain seasons by a ghost . I say it was lucky for me for I had not been in it many days before the same appalling noises began to prevail around me about midnight , often continuing till near the dawning . Still they kept aloof , and without doors ; for this gentleman 's house , like the cottage I was in formerly , seemed to be a sanctuary from all demoniacal power . He appears to be a good man and a just , and mocks at the idea of supernatural agency , and he either does not hear these persecuting spirits or will not acknowledge it , though of late he appears much perturbed . The consternation of the menials has been extreme .