midnight
`` We must not talk to her of this insult to her father . It is enough to let her know we do not believe it . '' The little party did not linger out on deck after the story had been told . It was midnight and chilly . The wind was blowing over the water , lashing the waves to a white foam . As Miss Jenny Ann retired to her cabin the thought came to her that they had lingered too long aboard their houseboat . It was getting late in September .