midnight
Hitherto these naughty sprites had been content to carry their baskets full of artfully-concealed provisions to a disused attic which was exactly over the box-room , and consequently out of reach of the inhabited part of the house . Here , making a table of a great chest which stood in the attic , they feasted gloriously , undisturbed by the musty smell or by the innumerable spiders and beetles which disappeared rapidly in all directions at their approach ; but when Annie one day incautiously suggested that on summer nights the outside world was all at their disposal , they began to discover flaws in their banqueting hall . Mary Price said the musty smell made her half sick ; Phyllis declared that at the sight of a spider she invariably turned faint ; and Susan Drummond was heard to murmur that in a dusty , fusty attic even meringues scarcely kept her awake . The girls were all wild to try a midnight picnic out of doors , and Annie in her present mood , was only too eager for the fun . With her usual skill she organized the whole undertaking , and eight agitated , slightly frightened , but much excited girls retired to their rooms that night . Annie , in her heart of hearts , felt rather sorry that Mrs. Willis should happen to be away ; dim ideas of honor and trustworthiness were still stirring in her breast , but she dared not think now . The night was in every respect propitious ; the moon would not rise until after twelve , so the little party could get away under the friendly shelter of the darkness , and soon afterward have plenty of light to enjoy their stolen feast .