twelve o'clock
I 'd sooner live in a cave with a hairy bear , so I would -- '' and out she ran . Two minutes later he had heard the door bang , and then silence . That was five hours ago , and during all these long hours he had sat staring sourly into the fire , seeing goodness knows what burnt-up visions therein , waiting to hear a footfall , and an entreating voice at the key-hole ; apologies and tears perhaps , and promises of amendment . Now it was after twelve o'clock , darkness everywhere and silence . Time and again a policeman 's tramp or the hasty , light footfall of adventure went by . So he stood up at last sour and vindictive -- `` She would have her fling . She would n't give in .