midnight
She had judgment and the skill that age kindly lends , in her favor , and slowly her delicate fingers undid the ravages of Stefana 's patient endeavors and brought beauteous perfection out of apparent ruin . But the process was wearying and long . It would have been but half the labor to have begun at the beginning instead of at Stefana 's poor little end . At midnight , Miss Theodosia made herself cups of tea and sipped them thirstily . A wrist , both thumbs , and her testing forefinger smarted ; she was tired and disheveled . But the spirit of adventure refused to die . The fire burned red-hot and the irons must cool again .