midnight
She sprang up eagerly ; he whirled her away , and the whole place fluctuated in the dance once more . `` Well , now , '' said Noble , between his teeth -- `` now , I _ am _ goin ' to do something ! '' He turned his back upon that painful house , walked out to the front gate , opened it , passed through , and looked southward . Not quite two blocks away there shone the lights of a corner drug store , still open to custom though the hour was nearing midnight . He walked straight to the door of this place , which stood ajar , but paused before entering , and looked long and nervously at the middle-aged proprietor who was unconscious of his regard , and lounged in a chair , drowsily stroking a cat upon his lap . Noble walked in . `` Good evening , '' said the proprietor , rising and brushing himself languidly .