midnight
Him an ' his red vest -- and jabberin ' like the foreign monkey he was . I 'll show him ! '' Ruth left Tony shaking his head and muttering angrily as he pursued his occupation . Ruth found herself deeply interested in the mystery of the campus ; but if she had actually solved the problem of the sounding of the harp at midnight , the reason for the happening , and what really brought that remarkable manifestation about , was as deep a puzzle to her as before . Youth adapts itself easily and naturally to all change . Ruth Fielding and her chum , before that second evening at Briarwood Hall drew in , felt as though they had known the place for months and some of the girls all their lives . It was thus the most natural thing in the world to assemble at meals when the school-bell tapped its summons , to stand while the grace was being said , to chatter and laugh with those at the table at which they sat , to speak and laugh with the waitresses , and with old Tony Foyle , and with Miss Scrimp , the matron of their house , and to bow respectfully to Miss Picolet , Miss Kennedy , the English teacher ; Miss O'Hara , before whom Ruth and Helen would come in mathematics , and the other teachers as they learned their names .