midnight
It was all summer with her then , nor did she spoil the present by anticipation of the severities of a wintery day , for the work of grace was going on with her , and though her natural temper was lofty and violent , as appeared by her manner to Jacob on the occasion lately described , yet there was a higher principle imparted , which rendered these out-breakings every day more rare . We have said before , that Mrs. Margaret had a favourite cow , named by her mistress , Brindle , from the colours of her coat . Tamar had learned to milk Brindle , and this was always her first work . One morning in the beginning of August , it happened , or rather , was so ordered by Providence , that the Laird was constrained through the extreme activity of his imagination , which had prevented him from sleeping after midnight , to arise and go down to his study in order to put these valuable suggestions on paper . It was , however , still so dark when he descended into his study , that he was compelled to sit down awhile in his great chair , to await the break of day ; and there that happened to him , which might as well have happened in bed , -- that is he fell asleep , and slept soundly for some hours . All this , however , had not been done so quietly , but that he had awakened his sister and Tamar , who slept in the adjoining room ; the consequence of which was , that Tamar got up and dressed herself , and having ascertained the situation of the Laird , and informed Mrs. Margaret that all was well in that quarter , she descended again into the kitchen , and proceeded to open the house-door . The shades of night were as yet not dispersed , although the morning faintly dawned on the horizon ; but the air was soft , fragrant , and elastic , and as it filled the chest of Tamar , it seemed to inspire her with that sort of feeling , which makes young things whirl , and prance , and run , and leap , and perform all those antics which seem to speak of naught but folly to all the sober and discreet elders , who have forgotten that they were ever young .