midnight
He was no longer merely her George , he was now a public figure . Soon he would be district attorney ; then , very likely , Governor ; then -- well , Senator ; and finally -- it was possible -- some one had to be -- President of the United States . He had begun , this day , by making a great decision , by stepping boldly out on principle , on moral principle , and announcing himself a defender of the home , of the right . At midnight , the last guest departed . George and Genevieve stepped out into the summer moonlight and strolled arm in arm down the walk . Waddling up the street appeared a very fat boy . `` Why , Pudge , '' cried Geneviève , `` what on earth are you doing out at this time of night ! ''