midnight
But the next morning after this first night of incongruous companionship Omega was awakened by its stertorous breathing and the touch of a cold , clammy sweat which was oozing from its pores and dropping upon the floor . * * * * * Throughout the day Omega marveled at this phenomenon . He noticed that the weird thing went often to the drinking fountain and wrapped its tongue about the water jet . That night he awakened at midnight to find The Grinner gone . He did not bother to look for him and mid-forenoon he returned . His rotund form seemed to have grown even larger , and as he ambled about on all fours the sweat trickled from his repulsive skin and trailed across the floor . It was a strange thing and Omega was at a loss to account for it , but his wonder was eclipsed by his appreciation of The Grinner 's companionship .