midnight
`` I certainly have the best friends . '' `` That 's your good fortune , '' answered Linda . At the close of the meal Linda sat waiting . Eileen gave Katy instructions to have things ready for a midnight lunch for her and John Gilman and then , humming her tune again , she left the dining room and went upstairs . Linda stood looking after her . `` Now or never , '' she said at last . `` I have no business to let her meet John until I have recovered my self-respect .