the midnight sun
Her step was slow and weary , her features were pinched and starved , but Cæsar could scarcely get her out of the town . At length the daylight began to fail , and then she yielded to his importunities . `` How short the days are now , '' she said with a sigh , as they ran into the country . `` Yes , they are a cock 's stride shorter in September , '' said Cæsar ; `` but when a woman once gets shopping , Midsummer day itself wo n't do -- she 's wanting the land of the midnight sun . '' Pete lifted her out of the gig in darkness at the door of the `` Fairy , '' and , his great arms being about her , he carried her into the house and set her down in the fire-seat . She would have struggled to her feet if she had been able ; she felt something like repulsion at his touch ; but he looked at her with the mute eloquence of love , and she was ashamed . The house was full of gossips that night .