midnight
She put away the little slip as she heard him coming toward the bedroom and rose to meet him . The tears came in spite of every effort to stay them , and to hide her face she dug it deep into his shoulder while she sobbed out her story . It was a full minute before John 's arm went about her , but at last reflecting that something was due one in her condition , he patted her heaving shoulders and said as if addressing a child : `` There , there now , I never thought of you feeling so bad , '' and after a minute 's thought added , `` but you see , dear , the part of the dinner you saw to yourself was all right , and the pies had to be apologized for . '' Silas Chamberlain answered to a loud knock on his door at the midnight hour . It was the first week of August . `` From Hunter 's , you say ? '' There was a mumbled conversation at the door .