midnight
Ruth was a bit puzzled at first . Then she remembered that Harpocrates was the Egyptian god of silence , and that his sign was a rose . The expression `` sub-rosa '' comes from that root , or `` under the rose . '' It was evident that there were to be `` midnight orgies '' when Helen 's goodies came from home . One of the quartettes on their corridor had indulged in a fudge party after hours already , and Ruth had been invited to be present . But she found that Helen was not going , so she refused . Besides , she was very doubtful about the propriety of joining in these forbidden pleasures .