nearly four o'clock
Of course the whole story had to be repeated , his sisters listening this time with open eyes and ears and admiring their adventurous brother immensely . Even Mr. Joslyn could not help becoming profoundly interested , but he took care not to show any pride he might feel in his son 's achievements . When his father returned to his office Rob went to his own bed-chamber and sat for a long time by the window in deep thought . When at last he aroused himself , he found it was nearly four o'clock . `` The Demon will be here presently , '' he said , with a thrill of aversion , `` and I must be in the workshop to receive him . '' Silently he stole to the foot of the attic stairs and then paused to listen . The house seemed very quiet , but he could hear his mother 's voice softly humming a cradle-song that she had sung to him when he was a baby .