midnight
Tessibel went again to the soap and water and Myra looking through the crack of the door , saw Tess dragging madly at her hair , sopping it first in the pan and then in the deep bucket which Ezra used to give the pig their swill . Once Myra saw the mass of gold disappear into the pail , and when Tessibel came again to view she was sputtering , coughing , and blowing the cold water from her nose and mouth . `` Wo n't be much left if ye keeps on at yer hair that way , '' called Myra grimly , `` but the soap air good for cleanin ' it . There air other days and nights , too , '' she went on sarcastically , `` and it air almost midnight . Yer Daddy 'll be here soon . Wonder if the game warden air out to-night ? '' As if in answer to her question they heard the dipping of oars and a little later a boat was dragged to its moorings on the shore .