midnight
But now that he heard the story from the lips of his own daughter , he saw the seriousness of it , and crowding back all his former pride and hatred of the elder Caxton , he promised Clara to see James the next day . Clara clung to her father in loving surprise . She was bewildered , as were all the rest , by the strange event that had happened to her father ; but she never had so felt his love before , and forgetting for a while the significance of his wonderful dream , she felt happy in his presence and in his affection for her . The evening had sped on with surprising rapidity while all these matters were being discussed , and as it drew near to midnight again Robert Hardy felt almost happy in the atmosphere of that home and the thought that he could still for a little while create joy for those who loved him . Suddenly he spoke of his other son : `` I wish George would come in . Then our family circle would be complete . But it is bedtime for you , Bess , and all of us , for that matter . ''