midnight
laughed Miss Crilly . He turned toward the saucy speaker and shook his finger sternly . `` Jilting me , and then taunting me of my failure ! Katharine Crilly , perhaps before midnight the slipper will be on the other foot ! '' This brought a hubbub of applause and merriment , and the ladies backed away from the charmed circle and giggled and talked gayly among themselves . But Christmas presents are bewitching things , and it was not long before mistletoe was all forgotten in the beauties of fine needlework , the mysteries of new stitches , and the attractions of dainty knickknacks . David and Blue and Doodles succeeded in making momentary captives of Mrs. Tenney , Mrs. Winslow Teed .