midnight
she replied wistfully ; `` it had better be now . '' `` You know what an owl I am , Ruth . With returning health my old habits seem to gain strength . I sleep more satisfactorily if I do it after midnight . '' He settled back comfortably in his chair , and the fire , encouraged by several small logs , rose to the occasion . `` I 've been thinking about -- Philip to-night . '' `` Poor girl .