Midnight
Her heart grew lighter as her story was told , and they sat by the window together watching one party after another return from the fair . But Willie was not amongst them ; and as it began to wax late , and acquaintances passed , Menie ran to inquire of them if they had seen anything of Willie ; and they shook their heads and said , `` No . '' And it grew later and later , till the last party who left the fair had passed , singing as they went along ; but still there were no tidings of Willie . Midnight came , and the morning came , but he came not . His mother became miserable , and , in the bitterness of her heart , she upbraided Menie , and Menie wept the more . They sat watching through the night and through the morning , listening to every sound . They heard the lark begin his song , the poultry leap from their roost , the cows low on the milk-maidens , and the ploughman prepare for the field ; yet Willie made not his appearance .