midnight
Cautiously opening it , afraid he would awaken the inmates , whom he concluded must all be asleep , he slipped in quietly , bolting the door behind him , and reached the fire . `` Dear me , Rob , '' said his mother . `` Where in the name o ' goodness hae you been the nicht ! I sat up till after midnight aye expectin ' you 'd be in , sae I gaed awa ' to my bed to lie wauken till you should come in . You are awfu ' late . '' He did not answer but stooped to take off his boots , and Mrs. Sinclair was soon out of bed and upon the floor . `` Michty me , laddie !