midnight
He smiled as he set down his glass , remembering the day at his desk when he had seen the white-and-brass craft slip to the river 's mouth . Rollo , discreet and without wonder , footed softly about the table , keeping the glasses filled and betraying no other sign of life . For more than four hours he was in attendance , until , last of the guests , Little Cawthorne and Bennietod departed together , trying to remember the dates of the English kings . Finally Chillingworth and Amory , having turned outdoors the dramatic critic who had arrived at midnight and was disposed to stay , stood for a moment by the fire and talked it over . `` Remember , St. George , '' Chillingworth said , `` I 'll have no monkey-work . You 'll report to me at the old hour , you wo n't be late ; and you 'll take orders -- '' `` As usual , sir , '' St. George rejoined quietly . `` I beg your pardon , '' Chillingworth said quickly , `` but you see this is such a deuced unnatural arrangement . ''