midnight
Margaret was engaged to marry Peter -- and a pretty girl was a pretty girl . The pretty girl of Manchester had several girls and several officers to tea on a certain evening , and they remained till midnight , making a great deal of noise and flirting outrageously in dark corners . Two of the girls got themselves kissed , and two of the officers got their ears boxed , and later a glove each to stick in their hat-bands . At midnight the party broke up with regret , and the young officers , seeking their quarters , turned in , and were presently sleeping the sleep of the constant in heart . But Aladdin did not dream about the pretty girl of Manchester , Maryland . When he could not help himself -- under the disadvantage of sleep , when suddenly awakened , or when left alone -- his mind harped upon Margaret . And often the chords of the harping were sad chords .