twelve
o'clock
Through the open door , dimly silhouetted against the starry sky , she made out the notch in the valley rim . Her sense rallied with a rush , and she started nervously as a pack rat scurried across the floor and paused upon the door sill to peer inquisitively at her with his beady eyes . Crossing the room , she closed and barred the door , and lighted the lamp . It was twelve o'clock . She peered at herself in the glass and with an exclamation of anger , dampened her wash-cloth and scrubbed furiously at her cheek where , in deep tracery appeared the perfect shape of a horseshoe . She was very hungry , and rummaging in the cupboard set out a cold lunch which she devoured to the last crumb . Then she blew out the lamp and , removing her riding boots , threw herself down upon the bunk to think .