nine o'clock
the cable to the Baas had read . The Baas would be prepared for the thunderbolt to be hurled from Pretoria ; but he would have no preparation for the thunderbolt which would fall at his feet this day in this house , where white roses welcomed the visitor at the door-way and the beauty of Titians and Botticellis and Rubens ' and Goyas greeted him in the luxuriant chambers . There would be no preparation for that war which rages most violently at a fireside and in the human heart . It was past nine o'clock when Rudyard wakened . It was nearly ten before he turned to leave his room for breakfast . As he did so he stooped and picked up an open letter lying on the floor near the door . His brain was dazed and still surging with the terrible thoughts which had agonized him the night before .