twelve o'clock
`` But as a pet I should prefer even a cat . '' `` Oh , I only pet them when they are ill . There is an old feather-bed in the house , and I put them in that when they need nursing at night . That is a device of my own , and much better than going out at twelve o'clock on a cold dark night . By-the-way , I think your idea of selling half or more of Lumalitas admirable . Great tracts of land in this part of the State are out of date , and more bother than they are worth , anywhere . You can invest the money to great advantage in San Francisco ; but I think you should devote the rest of the ranch to chickens -- '' `` No , madam ! ''