midnight
She represented so much capital , from which he expected to receive , not a certain definite interest , but an incalculable interest . And having thus been reared in a manner as near to that of the nunnery as tribal conditions would permit , it was with a great and maidenly anxiety that she peeped out at the man who had surely come for her , at the husband who was to teach her all that was yet unlearned of life , at the masterful being whose word was to be her law , and who was to mete and bound her actions and comportment for the rest of her days . But , peeping through the front flap of the lodge , flushed and thrilling at the strange destiny reaching out for her , she grew disappointed as the day wore along , and the Factor and her father still talked pompously of matters concerning other things and not pertaining to marriage things at all . As the sun sank lower and lower toward the north and midnight approached , the Factor began making unmistakable preparations for departure . As he turned to stride away Lit-lit 's heart sank ; but it rose again as he halted , half turning on one heel . `` Oh , by the way , Snettishane , '' he said , `` I want a squaw to wash for me and mend my clothes . '' Snettishane grunted and suggested Wanidani , who was an old woman and toothless .