midnight
It was his last will and testament , drawn up that very day . Minda Carter was named therein as his sole legatee , -- `` Minda Carter , at present known as Viola Gwyn , the daughter of Owen and Rachel Carter . '' His father had , to all intents and purposes , cut her off without a penny , an injustice which would be righted in case of his own death . It was near midnight when he blew out the light and threw himself fully dressed upon the bed . Sleep would not come . At last , in desperation , he got up and stole guiltily , self-consciously out into the yard , treading softly lest he should wake the vehement Zachariah in his cubbyhole off the kitchen . Presently he was standing at the fence separating the two yards , his elbows on the top rail , his gloomy , lovelorn gaze fixed upon Viola 's darkened window .