nearly midnight
And there came no Blessed Damozel to say to me gruffly , `` Couches-toi . Il est tard . '' When the sketch was completed at last I gave it to my father to read and then went out for a long walk . It was nearly midnight when I returned , but he was still reading . He cleared his throat . `` Son , '' he said very huskily , `` this is a strong piece of work ! '' His eyes were moist as they moved rapidly down the page .