midnight
But the House Surgeon had a very permanent look as he went on soberly talking . `` Well , you see , they took the children first because they were all ready . Probably , very probably , they are sending for you later -- special messenger . It 's still some minutes before midnight ; and that 's the time things like that happen . Is n't it ? '' `` Perhaps . '' A little amused smile crept into the corners of her mouth while she rummaged about in some old memories for something she had almost forgotten .