midnight
Then , in confusion : `` I mean , Mrs. Harper , that I 'm glad it is n't the ghost , you know . '' Half an hour later the parlours were deserted , except for the presence of a tall young man with a far-away , dissatisfied look in his eyes . In all the spare bed chambers guests were preparing for bed . Young Garrison had said good night to all of them and remained below stairs to commune with himself at the midnight hour . For many minutes he sat before the fireplace , staring moodily at the flames . Gates Garrison admitted reluctantly that it was all very nice at Gloaming , that it was `` a bully place to spend the holidays and all that , you know , '' but for a very well-defined reason he was wishing they were over and he was back in New York once more . He was in love .