midnight
Suddenly an overwhelming desire to be with Ilse seized her , and she would have called a taxi and started immediately , except for the dread that Jim might telephone in her absence . Yet , she did n't know what it was that she wanted of him , except to protest at his attitude toward her . Such a protest was due them both -- an appeal in behalf of the friendship which meant so much to her -- which , she had abruptly discovered , meant far more to her than she supposed . At midnight she telephoned to Ilse . A sleepy maid replied that Miss Westgard had not yet returned . So Palla called a taxi , pinned on her hat and struggled into her fur coat , and , taking her latch-key , started for Ilse 's apartment , feeling need of her in a blind sort of way -- desiring to listen to her friendly voice , touch her , hear her clear , sane laughter . A yawning maid admitted her .