midnight
`` Et 's a good thing , '' she said , going to the bedroom door , and looking in upon her sleeping children ; `` et 's a mercy and a blessing for them and -- for -- me . But -- but -- he might -- hev -- said -- he -- loved me ! '' Although Gideon Deane contrived to find a nest for his blanket in the mouldy straw of the unfinished barn loft , he could not sleep . He restlessly watched the stars through the cracks of the boarded roof , and listened to the wind that made the half-open structure as vocal as a sea-shell , until past midnight . Once or twice he had fancied he heard the tramp of horse-hoofs on the far-off trail , and now it seemed to approach nearer , mingled with the sound of voices . Gideon raised his head and looked through the doorway of the loft . He was not mistaken : two men had halted in the road before the house , and were examining it as if uncertain if it were the dwelling they were seeking , and were hesitating if they should rouse the inmates .