midnight
When night closed down and the house was still , did Santa Yeager throw herself down , clasping that formal note to her bosom , weeping , and calling out a name that pride -LRB- either in one or the other -RRB- had kept from her lips many a day ? Or did she file the letter , in her business way , retaining her royal balance and strength ? Wonder , if you will ; but royalty is sacred ; and there is a veil . But this much you shall learn : At midnight Santa slipped softly out of the ranch-house , clothed in something dark and plain . She paused for a moment under the live-oak trees . The prairies were somewhat dim , and the moonlight was pale orange , diluted with particles of an impalpable , flying mist . But the mock-bird whistled on every bough of vantage ; leagues of flowers scented the air ; and a kindergarten of little shadowy rabbits leaped and played in an open space near by .