midnight
He had known Margaret Brewster from a child , and there was scarce her equal in these parts for sweetness of temper and loveliness of person and mind ; and , were she ten times a Quaker , he was free to say this in her behalf . I am more and more confirmed in the belief that Leonard hath not done unwisely in this matter , and do cheerfully accept of his choice , believing it to be in the ordering of Him who doeth all things well . BOSTON , December 31 . It wanteth but two hours to the midnight , and the end of the year . The family are all abed , and I can hear nothing save the crackling of the fire now burning low on the hearth , and the ticking of the clock in the corner . The weather being sharp with frost , there is no one stirring in the streets , and the trees and bushes in the yard , being stripped of their leaves , look dismal enough above the white snow with which the ground is covered , so that one would think that all things must needs die with the year . But , from my window , I can see the stars shining with marvellous brightness in the clear sky , and the sight thereof doth assure me that God still watcheth over the work of His hands , and that in due season He will cause the flowers to appear on the earth , and the time of singing-birds to come , and-the voice of the turtle to be heard in the land .