midnight
Miss King has lent us the electric stove from the infirmary , and we 're going to make candy , '' they invited . `` It 's quite regular , '' added Dot Mead , by way of explanation . `` We have permission . '' Dot had often tried to inveigle the three girls into joining various midnight feasts and forbidden larks of which she was the originator , but had always found them singularly unresponsive . Do n't think they were prudes , far from it , but they had learned through close observation that not enough pleasure could be derived from breaking rules to compensate them for the loss of the faculty 's respect and trust . And , above all , their loyalty and love for Seddon Hall prompted them to keep the few simple rules required of them . Betty regarded the two girls with lofty disdain and assuming an attitude peculiar to the long-suffering chaplain , began in imitation of his manner : `` There would seem a certain amount of er -- er -- one might say -- attractiveness in your suggestion to an outsider , Dorothy , my child , one , let us say , not familiar with your ability as a cook .