midnight
`` It 's uncle Peter . Let him touch you and he 'll go off ; '' but Mary did n't choose to be touched , and retreating towards the chamber door , she fled rapidly up the stairs . This time she was not accosted by any one , but as she passed the dark closet , she was surprised to hear a musical voice singing the national air of her own country , and she wondered , too , at the taste of the singer in finishing every verse with `` God save Miss Grundy . '' That night Alice , who missed her cradle , was unusually restless , and Mary , remembering Mrs. Grundy 's threat , carried her in her arms until after midnight . Then without undressing she threw herself upon the bed , and , for the first time in many weeks , dreamed of George and his parting promise to see her again . The next morning when she awoke she found Mr. Parker 's prediction verified , for the clouds were pouring rain . `` Billy wo n't come to-day , '' was her first thought , and throwing herself upon the floor she burst into tears , wishing as she had once done before that she had died with her mother .