midnight
It is my own fault . I am not worth much ; only , mark my words , do n't begin again , for , curse it -- I sha n't . '' The captain embraced him , and when he had entered the house the major stood a moment before the closed door to make certain that he had gone upstairs to bed . Then as midnight was striking and the rain was still belaboring the dark town , he slowly turned homeward . The thought of his men almost broke his heart , and , stopping short , he said aloud in a voice full of compassion : `` Poor devils ! what a lot of cow beef they 'll have to swallow for those two thousand francs ! '' The regiment was altogether nonplused : Petticoat Burle had quarreled with Melanie .