midnight
`` Grace and I do n't count , I suppose , '' said the major . `` I had a thousand questions to ask you ; '' and he looked so aggrieved that Graham compromised and promised to spend the next day with him . Then he gave an almost hilarious turn to the rest of the evening , and one would have thought that he was in the high spirits natural to any young officer with a month 's leave of absence . He described the `` woodchuck hole '' which had been his hiding-place , sketched humorously the portraits of Iss , Aunt Sheba , who was now his aunt 's cook , and gave funny episodes of his midnight prowlings while waiting for a chance to reach the Union lines . Grace noted how skilfully he kept his own personality in the background unless he appeared in some absurd or comical light ; and she also noted that his eyes rested upon her less and less often , until at last , after Iss had had his most flattering reception , he said good-night rather abruptly . The next day he entertained the major in a way that was exceedingly gratifying and flattering to the veteran . He brought some excellent maps , pointed out the various lines of march , the positions of the opposing armies , and showed clearly what had been done and what might have been .