midnight
I know her ; she 's an old-timer . Them duds ai n't one-two-three-six . '' `` Gee -- Jerry ! '' In the heart of a silence as deep as a bottomless pool , with the black hours that tiptoe on the heels of midnight shrouding her like a nun 's wimple , limbs trembling and her hands reluctant , Sadie Barnet knocked lightly at her door , once , twice , thrice , and between each rap her heart beat with twice its tempo against her breast . Then her stealthy hand turned the white china knob and released it so that it sprang backward with a click . `` Who 's that ? '' `` Me , Dee Dee . ''