midnight
But Mr. Ramy spared her all farther indecision . `` Well , Miss Bunner , '' he said , drawing his stool closer to the counter , `` I guess I might as well tell you fust as last what I come here for to-day . I want to get married . '' Ann Eliza , in many a prayerful midnight hour , had sought to strengthen herself for the hearing of this avowal , but now that it had come she felt pitifully frightened and unprepared . Mr. Ramy was leaning with both elbows on the counter , and she noticed that his nails were clean and that he had brushed his hat ; yet even these signs had not prepared her ! At last she heard herself say , with a dry throat in which her heart was hammering : `` Mercy me , Mr. Ramy ! '' `` I want to get married , '' he repeated .