midnight
It was two hours -- but it seemed much longer to the poor little girls -- before their mother came in ; and then they scarcely knew her , for her face was blackened with smoke and dust , her hands were burned sadly , and the skirt of her dress torn and burned in many places . Although they were excited and curious , yet these good children undressed and went to bed , helping themselves all they could , that their mother might rest , and trying to wait until morning for all they wished to know . Meanwhile , Mrs. Allis busied herself , weary as she was , in providing a comfortable supper for her husband , who had eaten nothing since dinner-time . It was past midnight when Mr. Allis and Mary came to the house , and they too were tired enough , as we may suppose . But , above all , they were grateful to that kind heavenly Father who had so mercifully preserved and protected them from harm amid such dangers . Little did any of them sleep that night ; and it was not strange that the morning , which came on wet and showery , found them but little refreshed after the unusual fatigue of the preceding night . But the children were awake with the first light , and eagerly asking questions about the fire .