midnight
Paul was distressingly clean , but Babbitt reveled in a good sound dirtiness , in not having to shave till his spirit was moved to it . He treasured every grease spot and fish-scale on his new khaki trousers . All morning they fished unenergetically , or tramped the dim and aqueous-lighted trails among rank ferns and moss sprinkled with crimson bells . They slept all afternoon , and till midnight played stud-poker with the guides . Poker was a serious business to the guides . They did not gossip ; they shuffled the thick greasy cards with a deft ferocity menacing to the `` sports ; '' and Joe Paradise , king of guides , was sarcastic to loiterers who halted the game even to scratch . At midnight , as Paul and he blundered to their cottage over the pungent wet grass , and pine-roots confusing in the darkness , Babbitt rejoiced that he did not have to explain to his wife where he had been all evening .