midnight
`` You are a mighty good friend , Mr. Big Beech Tree , and as a mark of gratitude I shall kiss you right in the middle of your honest barky old forehead , '' and he touched his lips lightly to the great trunk . Paul was an imaginative boy , and his whim pleased him . Such a thought would not have come to Henry , but he liked it in Paul . `` I think it 's past midnight , Paul , '' said Henry , `` and we 've been lucky enough to have had several hours ' sleep . '' `` But they 'll go away as soon as they realize they ca n't get us , '' said Paul , `` and then we can climb down and build a new and bigger ring of fire about us . '' Henry shook his head . `` They do n't realize it , '' he replied .