midnight
She had hugged him tightly and he had always remembered , without fully understanding in his childhood , the half incredulous , half regretful whisper in his ear , `` Has it come to you so soon , little son ? '' The hereditary instinct , born thus , had grown with his own growth from boyhood to manhood until it was an integral part of himself . And the lure of the eastern nights -- more marvellous and compelling even than in colder climates -- had become almost an obsession . Little O Hara San , firm believer in all devils , djinns and midnight workers of mischief , had grown accustomed to the eccentricities of the man who was her whole world . If it pleased him to spend long hours of the night sitting on the verandah when ordinary folk were sensibly shut up in their houses she did not care so long as she might be with him . No demon in Japan could harm her while she lay securely in his strong arms . And if unpleasant shadows crept uncomfortably near the little house she resolutely turned her head and hiding her face against him shut out all disagreeable sights and slept peacefully , confident in his ability to keep far from her all danger .