about midnight
You get old Melisse back , Happy , an ' remember -- if it ever comes to a question of you or him -- just call him George Jordan an ' say ` at Jack Whitman was n't killed '' -- Monody chuckled again , an ' then sobered -- `` but do n't spring it except as a last resort , 'cause the little girl could n't help nothin ' about the Creole Belle , an ' she ai n't no call to be worried by it . Jim Jimison , he 's white , Happy , but he 'd ` a ' been killed that trip if you had n't taken bolt when you did . He 's learned the game purty well now , though , an ' I reckon he 'll make good . '' Poor old Monody kept on talkin ' disconnected until about midnight , first tellin ' some devilish deed he 'd seen or took part in , an ' then tellin ' o ' some joke or some act o ' kindness . Just at midnight he took my hand , an ' the ' came a look into his eyes like as if he was about overcome by some beautiful vision ; but in a moment he cohered down an ' he gripped my hand till it hurt . `` Happy , '' he gasped , `` I allus loved ya , Happy . You wo n't let -- you wo n't let 'em -- '' an ' it was all over with ol' Monody .