midnight
There was no more time for serious meditation , and the combination of youth and mirth and moonlight worked its magical charm . By the time the boat had made its return trip , Mary was restored to her usual normal self , and to the equanimity that the heat and the slums and Pink 's letter had upset . When the lights of the town streamed out across the river to meet them , she was rested and refreshed , ready to take up the next day 's work with her usual enthusiasm . It was late when she reached home , but her long sleep in the afternoon made her wakeful , and she sat up till after midnight trying to compose a satisfactory answer to Pink 's letter . It was a depressing task , and she tore up page after page , in her effort to make her refusal as kind as possible , and yet to make him understand that it was final . When it was finished and sealed she drew another envelope towards her , intending to address it to Phil . Then she hesitated and pushed it aside , saying : `` I 'd better wait until I 'm in a more cheerful frame of mind .