midnight
`` If they could have guessed how glad I was of their absence , they would not have seemed so complaisant , '' he thought , recalling the happy day he had spent with Dainty ; while he resolved to make sure of more like it by inviting some other fellows to Ellsworth , so that Olive and Ela might be provided with escorts , and not keep him from Dainty 's side . Before long , say a week at furthest , he would tell Dainty of his love , and ask her to be his wife . No use putting off his happiness , he thought ; and if he could win the little darling , the wedding should follow soon -- as soon as he could persuade her to name the day . So , lost in these happy reveries , he sat at the open window till midnight , when he suddenly rose , stretched his full length , and exclaimed : `` Heigh-ho ! I must not dream here all night , for -- ah , _ what _ was that ? '' For down the length of the broad corridor a piercing shriek was wafted to his ears , followed by the patter of flying feet , and a body was hurled violently against the door , while an anguished voice cried , entreatingly : `` For God 's sake , let me in ! '' He sprang to the door , tore it open , and the fainting form of Dainty fell forward into his arms .