an hour after
midnight
He had made up the fire and now sat down at a little distance , on one of the flat arms of the glass-blower 's working-stool . His face was pale and quiet , and his eyes did not avoid hers . `` If I caught any one using my boat without my leave , I would make him pay dear , '' said Beroviero , but without anger , as if he were stating a general truth . `` Whoever it was who took the boat brought it back an hour after midnight , locked the padlock again and went away , '' said Marietta . `` Tell Nella that I am much indebted to her for her watchfulness . She is as good as a house-dog . Tell her to come and wake me if she sees any one taking the boat again . ''