midnight
Katherine called out to Miles , who answered back . Then there were other voices and a great banging at the door of the store . That was when Mrs. Burton first became aware that something was going on , and started up out of the rocking-chair under the impression that she had been there the whole night and that morning had come already . A glance at the clock showed her , however , that it was not so very late yet , and still a long way from midnight . Then , remembering that Katherine and Miles were out , she guessed it was they who were making such a clamour at the door of the store , and hurried to let them in . `` I hope we have n't frightened Father with all the noise we have had to make , but you seemed so dead asleep that we had to make a great riot in order to get in , '' Katherine said , as she and Miles towed the sledge inside the store to be unloaded at leisure when morning came . `` I will go and see to Father , but Phil is with him now .