midnight
Second , that he would put this railroad scheme through ; already the feeling of power , of the consciousness of unsystematized ability , was stirring within him . The affair with McDermott rankled , however , and it was with drawn brows and tightened lips that he answered a telephone call -- a call which changed both of the plans which he had so carefully arranged . His mother 's doctor at Bar Harbor had rung him up to say Mrs. Ravenel was seriously ill and wanted him to come to her at once . He started at midnight , to find his mother in a high fever , unconscious of his arrival , and facing an operation , as the only chance to save her life . He had been to her always , as she herself put it , `` a perfect son , '' and for the next three months , which made the time well into December , he proved the words true , living by her bedside , and allowing himself scant sleep from the watching and service . It was when she was far toward the recovery of her health and her old-time beauty that he spoke to her of his newly formed intentions with characteristic unwordiness . `` I am going into business , mother , '' he said , `` with Philip de Peyster . ''