midnight
The children and the eldest girl were long since asleep , but the mother could not rest for thinking of her wayward boy . Where was he to-night ; where at this very moment ? And he had promised , promised faithfully to turn over a new leaf with this Christmas eve . Christmas eve was here , nay , it was come and gone for midnight had sounded and it was now Christmas morning . Still , this night must be for her as all those other nights when she had lain awake hour after hour listening in silent anguish for the footstep that did not come . She had hoped much from that promise of his to Father Xavier and to her , and her disappointment was proportionately bitter . The mother walked to the window and looked out upon the silent , frosty night .