midnight
It was built of slabs , with big growing trees to form its irregular corners , and their lowest limbs contributed the rafters , while stripped bark and evergreen boughs made the roof . The foliage swayed above in the fitful wind , and covered the cabin and the grass around it with commingling , separating , capering shadows of leaves , as though a multitude of little black demons were trying to get to the slumberer within . Their antics looked spiteful and angry at first : but as the wind lessened to a breeze , and as the moon seemed to mollify them , they became frolicsome without malice ; and at length , when the merest zephyrs impelled their motions , they gambolled lazily , good-humoredly above and around the couch of Mary Mite . It was midnight when a man shot into the open space around the cabin like a missile . He ran first to the front of the structure , where a tarpaulin curtained the shed for the night , and gazed for a moment blankly at this indication that the hour was not one of business . Tremendous haste was denoted in his every step and gesture . He plucked twice at the canvas , as though to pull it down .