midnight
Dorothy laughed her light , happy laugh . After all , perhaps everything would come out right -- it was such a relief to feel that Ned would soon be better . The worry about him was the very worst part of her troubles . Then , suddenly , like the recurrence of an unpleasant dream , the thought of Tom 's midnight visit flashed before her mind . `` Oh , I did n't tell you , Tavia , '' she said quickly . `` I had the awfullest scare the other night . I just stole downstairs to see how Ned was , when all at once some one rapped at the vestibule door . ''