midnight
She was timid during any thunder shower and this was worse than a shower which threatened -- a tornado seemed imminent . To retreat indoors and help John to get there was her first impulse , but Pa Babcock held up a protesting hand and she hesitated , curiously observing his movements . Moistening his fingers he let the rising wind blow over them , then calmly resumed his task of nailing a board to a post in the cattle-shed still left standing beside the barn . `` It will not come on to rain till midnight . Then look out for a deluge . You are perfectly and entirely safe here , ma'am , until our undertaking is accomplished and it is always well to have the eye of the master -- I would say , mistress -- upon -- '' `` Hand over that scantlin ' , old step-an ' - fetch-it ! '' ordered Jim , with scant reverence and -- the scantling was handed .