midnight
`` Are you afraid any thing will eat you ? Besides , it will be moonlight after twelve o'clock . '' `` Twelve o'clock ! '' repeated George , turning pale with apprehension : `` I dare not leave the house after midnight ! '' `` Then let it alone , '' replied Dan . `` But , Simpson , '' said George , in a fawning tone , `` can not you go without me ? '' `` Master George , if you take me for a fool , '' replied Dan , `` you are mistaken : it is you want to be revenged on young Shirley , not I : the poor lad never offended me . ''