midnight
There 's the scales . Weigh out your own dust and do n't bother me . I 've got to get ready for the ball . '' Sitka Charley weighed out his pay and departed , carrying with him a letter to Loraine Lisznayi , the contents of which he correctly imagined to refer to a meeting at the water-hole of the hospital , at midnight , sharp . Twice Freda sent messengers up to the Barracks , where the dance was in full swing , and as often they came back without answers . Then she did what only Freda could do -- put on her furs , masked her face , and went up herself to the Governor 's ball . Now there happened to be a custom -- not an original one by any means -- to which the official clique had long since become addicted .