the midnight sun
`` There 's Joel . It makes it hard for him when the days are getting longer all the time . He 'll be glad when we have to light the lamps at five . '' Thomas was in a mood to wish that the village of Clematis basked in the rays of the midnight sun . He forced a smile to his reluctant lips as Persis ' brother entered and magnanimously put the question , `` How do you find yourself to-night , Joel ? '' though he knew only too well the consequences to which this exposed him . There was no surer passport to Joel 's favor than to inquire about his health if one was also willing to listen to his answer .