midnight
As her lids finally grew heavy she murmured to herself : `` Ef I was like other gals I reckon I 'd git sort of crazy erbout thet big feller . He 's like a pine tree standin ' up amongst saplin 's -- but I do n't reckon a body could hardly ever git him clean , even ef they soaked him in hot suds fer a week of Sundays . '' With that reflection -- also fastidiously feminine -- she turned on her side and slept . It was into a room below that Lute Johnson stumbled long after midnight on most unsteady legs . Lute was not satisfied with his evening . He had been actuated in his attempted hazing of Alexander by Jase Mallows , who thought her pride should be humbled , yet sought to accomplish that end vicariously in order that the doors of future conquest might not be closed against himself . Lute 's undertaking had not been a success and he sought his bed , sodden and bloodshot of eye .