midnight
`` I will , sir , '' said Maid Sally . When Sally , bright as a new sixpence , appeared at breakfast the next morning , Parson Kendall regarded her with much thoughtfulness . And when he said , soberly , `` I would see thee again in the library after thy meal is finished , '' she wondered what he might have to say . He spoke gently , but wasted no words as he began : `` Maid Sally Dukeen , it hath pleased God to take unto himself the woman , Mistress Cory Ann Brace , who departed this life at midnight just past . `` But there was that on her mind which it beseemed her must be told before she could die in peace . And she made confession that thy father left thee suddenly when thou wert but six years of age , and being a stranger , and thinking better of Mistress Brace than I greatly fear she deserved , he left thee in her care , together with a considerable sum of money , which was to pay for board and proper schooling . `` But being tempted of the Spirit of Evil , Mistress Brace used the money as if it was her own .