midnight
Frederick should sleep in the shanty while Daddy was away . Tessibel halted apprehensively in the open doorway . From the shore willows , hoot owls pierced the inky night with their sonorous cries -- while in throaty discord , a million marsh frogs bellowed farewell to summer . The lake shores caught the unceasing waves in eternal laps , the rhythm soothing the ears of the squatter girl as her unfathomable gaze pierced the midnight gloom . But the weight of sorrow and longing on the strong nature , untried by emotion , strangled the rising fear , and Tessibel advanced a step to the pebbly path . Once outside in the darkness , she lifted her voice and repeated as of yore , `` Rescue the perishin ' Care for the dyin ' . '' Never before had the words roused her as now -- Daddy Skinner needed that refrain .