midnight
The house-doctor had made the last of his rounds and turned into his chambers across the courtyard , and the night-nurses were boiling little kettles in their rooms between the wards . The surgical wards were darkened , and the patients were asleep already . In the medical wards there were screens about certain of the beds , and weary moans came from behind them . It was after midnight when John Storm came round to the hall again , and then the rain had ceased , but the thunder was still rumbling . He might have gone home at length , but he did not go ; he realized that he was waiting for Glory . Other nurses returned from the ball , and bowed to him and passed into the house . He stepped into the porter 's lodge , and sat down and watched the lightning .