midnight
`` Well , '' said Miss Roxy , `` you know '' ` While the lamp holds out to burn , The vilest sinner may return . ' '' `` Yes , I know that , '' said Mrs. Kittridge , rising and taking up the candle . `` Do n't you think , Aunt Roxy , we may as well give a look in there at the corpse ? '' It was past midnight as they went together into the keeping-room . All was so still that the clash of the rising tide and the ticking of the clock assumed that solemn and mournful distinctness which even tones less impressive take on in the night-watches . Miss Roxy went mechanically through with certain arrangements of the white drapery around the cold sleeper , and uncovering the face and bust for a moment , looked critically at the still , unconscious countenance . `` Not one thing to let us know who or what she is , '' she said ; `` that boy , if he lives , would give a good deal to know , some day . ''