midnight
`` Theatres , '' she replied promptly , `` theatres and late hours , midnight suppers -- and cocktails . '' I laughed uproariously . `` My dear Mary , if these deadly sins and perils alarm you , we 'll cut them out . I care little for theatres , and less for midnight suppers . And as for cocktails , I shall make it my peculiar charge to see that Phyllis never hears the abominable word . Allowing for the removal of these temptations , I still think that a trip to the city would do our country flower a world of good , though I have nothing but praise for the manner in which you have brought her up . '' `` John , '' she answered very gravely , `` I have endeavored to do my duty as I saw it .