late noon
His touch seemed to thrill Clarke , who breathed heavily and then stepped to the window , as if to conceal the flush of vitality on his cheek . It was a breath of springtide that Jack had brought with him . Youth is a Prince Charming . To shrivelled veins the pressure of his hand imparts a spark of animation , and middle age unfolds its petals in his presence , as a sunflower gazing at late noon once more upon its lord . `` I have come to take Ernest away from you , '' said Jack . `` He looks a trifle paler than usual , and a day 's outing will stir the red corpuscles in his blood . '' `` I have no doubt that you will take very good care of him , '' Reginald replied .