midnight
But he would not whine . Perhaps it was only the plucky spirit of the street Arab that filled his breast , perhaps something stronger and nobler that steadied his lip and kindled his eye , as he looked around the spacious , book-lined room , and realized all that he was losing -- had lost . For Dan loved his books , -- the hard-earned scholarship proved it . Many a midnight hour had found him , wrapped in his worn blankets , studying by the light of a flaring candle-end stuck perilously on his bedpost , after good Aunt Win had thriftily put out the lamp , and believed Danny was sound asleep preparatory to a start on his beat at break of day . `` One of the brightest , clearest , quickest minds I ever knew , '' Dan 's teacher had told Father Regan when awarding the scholarship , -- `` if he can only keep the track . But he has a bold spirit , and it will be hard on him among all those ` high-steppers ' of yours at Saint Andrew 's . He is likely to bolt and break away . ''