midnight
All unknowingly , Dorothy had expressed the dominant idea of the dead master of the house . She fancied that the pictured face over the mantel was about to smile at her . Dorothy and Uncle Ebeneezer understood each other now , and she no longer wished to have the portrait moved . Before they separated for the night , Dick told them all about the midnight gathering in the orchard , which he had witnessed from afar , and which the others enjoyed beyond his expectations . `` That 's what uncle meant , '' said Elaine , `` by ` fixing a surprise for relations . ' '' `` I do n't blame him , '' observed Harlan , `` not a blooming bit . I wish the poor old duck could have been here to see it .