midnight
he responded as he prepared to descend the steps , `` good-by ! '' and added to himself , with a fervor which conveyed some intimation of his sentiments if it did not suggest his words : `` An ' may the saints preserve you ! '' When Dennis retired for the night at The Stag , his transit from his room , which had never seemed so contracted as now , to the Land of Nod was somewhat delayed by reason of the exhilarating conditions through which he had just passed . Toward midnight , however , his pulse had resumed its normal , and the young man , reaching his drowsy destination at last , began a series of the most surprising horticultural experiments until , what with orchids as big as a barrel , and geraniums which could be reached only by a ladder , he had converted the silvery strand of the dreamful domain into a forest of atrocious color and floral monstrosity . Awakening on the succeeding morning , Dennis , accepting the sense of general lassitude which oppressed him as an indication of the arduous nature of his efforts in his dreams , began to prepare for the activities of the day . On this occasion he was compelled to attire himself in the shirt which he had worn on the occasion of his visit the evening before , since his remaining bosoms , along with his heart , were in the possession of the beautiful widow . But the extravagance of such indulgence did not alarm him now .