midnight
There was an immediate rush for the store , which was delayed only a few minutes by the necessity of Gimpy and Lem stopping on the stairs to `` thump '' one another as the expression of their entire satisfaction . The procession that returned to the lodging-house later on , after wearing out the patience of several belated storekeepers , might have been the very Santa 's supply-train itself . It signalized its advent by a variety of discordant noises , which were smothered on the stairs by Stretch , with much personal violence , lest they wake the Kid out of season . With boots in hand and bated breath , the midnight band stole up to the dormitory and looked in . All was safe . The Kid was dreaming , and smiled in his sleep . The report roused a passing suspicion that he was faking , and Savarese was for pinching his toe to find out .