midnight
He sat thinking how nice it would be if he could only make up a bed for the little girl that would feel cool and soft and smooth . His shirt , freshly laundered and unused , lay in the bureau drawer . It hurt him to think of its being there ; at the same time he felt it would hardly be fair to Katrina to use her gift as a sheet for the child . However , as it drew on toward midnight and Katrina was sleeping soundly , he went over to the bureau and took out the shirt . First he tore away the stiff front , then he slit the shirt into two parts , whereupon he slipped one piece under the little girl 's body , and spread the other one between the child and the heavy quilt that covered her . That done , he stole back to his corner and again took up his vigil . He had not sat there long when the clock struck twelve .