midnight
`` Come on , Alice , if you 're going to scrub before luncheon . Thank you , Louis ; I 've had a splendid game -- '' She stretched out a frank hand to him , going , and the tips of her fingers just brushed his . His sister gave him a tragic look , which he ignored , and a little later luncheon was on and Cameron garrulous , and Querida his own gentle , expressive , fascinating self , devotedly receptive to any woman who was inclined to talk to him or to listen . That evening Neville said to his sister : `` There 's a train at midnight ; I do n't think I 'll stay over -- '' `` Why ? '' `` I want to be in town early . '' `` Why ? '' `` The early light is the best . ''