midnight
It stood in its sodden shoes , hugging its sodden cloaks to its shoulders , humped over , waiting . About eight o'clock several companies in rigid marching formation appeared . A stir of interest , shivered through the crowd , but died as it became evident that this was only a general relief for those on duty during the day . At midnight , or thereabouts , the crowd went home ; but again by first daylight the streets for blocks were jammed full . Still it rained with a sullen , persistence . Still nothing happened . And all over the city business was practically at a stand .