nearly midnight
You were n't up late last night ? '' `` Not very , '' said Patty , dropping her eyes before her father 's searching gaze . Nothing more was said on the subject , but though Patty hated to do anything secretly , yet she felt she must continue her night work , as it was really her only chance . So that night as she sat studying until nearly midnight , her door slowly opened , and Nan peeped in . She wore a kimono , and her hair was in a long braid down her back . `` Patty Fairfield , '' she said , `` go to bed at once ! You ought to be ashamed of yourself , to sit up so late when you know your father does n't want you to . ''