midnight
Altogether , poor Patty was at her wits ' end to find any time to herself . She tried rising very early in the morning and studying before breakfast , but she found it difficult to awaken early , and neither Nan nor her father would allow her to be called . So she was forced to resort to sitting up late , and studying after the rest of the household had retired . As her room was on the third floor , she had no difficulty in pursuing this plan without anyone being aware of it , but burning the midnight oil soon began to tell on her appearance . One morning at breakfast , her father said , `` Patty , child , what is the matter with you ? Your eyes look like two holes burnt in a blanket ! You were n't up late last night ? ''