Midnight
Jerry was a man and a brother , and petticoat government must be discouraged whenever and wherever possible , or the world would soon cease to be a safe place to live in . Pel 's idea grew upon him in the night watches , and the next morning he searched his mother 's garret till he found a green dress and a white bonnet . Putting them in a basket , he walked out on the road a little distance till he met the stage , when , finding no passengers inside , he asked Jerry to let him jump in and `` ride a piece . '' Once within , he hastily donned the green wrapper and tell-tale headgear , and , when the Midnight Cry rattled down the stony hill past the Todd house , Pel took good care to expose a large green sleeve and the side of a white bonnet at the stage window . It was easy enough to cram the things back into the basket , jump out , and call a cordial thank you to the unsuspecting Jerry . He was rewarded for his ingenuity and enterprise at night , when he returned Mrs. Todd 's axe , for just as he reached the back door he distinctly heard her say that if she saw that green woman on the stage again , she would knock her off with a broomstick as sure as she was a Stover of Scarboro . As a matter of fact she was equal to it .