midnight
`` Very well , then , I 'll be off , but expect me back before night , '' she would say , kissing him on the forehead . `` No , I do not expect you home before night . I never do . It would not surprise me if you did n't get in before midnight . I 'm prepared for anything now ! '' he would answer without looking up . Nevertheless , she made it a rule always to get back from her engagements before he came in .