midnight
`` Like the one with the ` stickie-out ' branches , where I once hid Auntie Lis -- Her stockings ? '' I nodded , and sitting down , began to pack up my fishing rod and things . `` I 'm glad of that , '' pursued the Imp thoughtfully . `` Robin Hood was always saying to somebody , ` Hie thee to the blasted oak at midnight ! ' an ' it 's nice to have one handy , you know . '' I thought that under certain circumstances , and with a piece of rope , it would be very much so , `` blasted '' or otherwise , but I only said , `` Yes '' and sighed . '' ` Whence that doleful visage , ' Uncle Dick -- I mean Little John ?