midnight
called a tall youth from the driver 's seat . `` I 'll keep him straight . We 'll be all right . We 're due home at midnight , and we 'll be there , unless the roads are too heavy to keep the pace we came in . '' `` No , sir , we ca n't ever keep the pace we come in , '' presently averred the man from the livery-stable , who was driving . `` The road 's pretty heavy . I declare , I do n't know as I ever see snow so thick .