midnight
`` I shall tell the boy everything . '' `` That is my opinion also ; it must be done , or we should never have another peaceful moment , '' she murmured , as she dried her eyes . Then they both relapsed into silence . It was past midnight when the three children returned from their expedition . Their cheeks were rosy , and their eyes shone with pleasure from their walk in the fresh air . They seated themselves around the fire to finish gayly their Christmas-eve by eating a last cake before the enormous log which looked like a burning cavern . The next day the fisherman called Erik to him , and in the presence of Katrina , Otto , and Vanda , spoke to him as follows : `` Erik , the letter of Doctor Schwaryencrona was about you .