midnight
`` We ca n't very well climb back out of that chute , '' Allison said for the tenth time . `` We 'll have to plan some other strategy . It 's three P.M. right now and we still do n't have any ideas . We have to be up at that wheat field by midnight . '' `` I 'll slip out into the hallway and have a look , '' Stan offered . `` And get caught , '' Allison said sourly . Further talk was halted .