midnight
He had made a convert . To his dire and utter pennilessness , Cousin Tryphena 's tiny income seemed a fortune . He had a happy dream of persuading her to join him in his weekly contributions to the sacred funds ! As he stood at midnight , in the open door , for the long draught of fresh air he always took before turning in on his pile of hay , he heard in the wood on the hill back of the house the shrill shriek of a trapped rabbit . He plowed furiously out through the deep snow to find it , gave the tortured animal a merciful death , carried the trap back to the river and threw it in with a furious splash . He strode home under the frosty stars , his dirty shirt open over his corded , old neck , his burning heart almost content . He had done a good day 's work .