midnight
To Susan the thought of hypodermics , anesthetics , antisepsis and clinic thermometers , charts and diets , was utterly mysterious and abhorrent , and her healthy distaste for them amused Emily , and gave Emily a good reason for discussing and defending them . Susan 's part was to listen and agree , listen and agree , listen and agree , on this as on all topics . She had not been long at `` High Gardens '' before Emily , in a series of impulsive gushes of confidence , had volunteered the information that Ella was so jealous and selfish and heartless that she was just about breaking Mama 's heart , never happy unless she was poisoning somebody 's mind against Emily , and never willing to let Emily keep a single friend , or do anything she wanted to do . `` So now you see why I am always so dignified and quiet with Ella , '' said Emily , in the still midnight when all this was revealed . `` That 's the ONE thing that makes her mad ! '' `` I ca n't believe it ! '' said Susan , aching for sleep , and yawning under cover of the dark .