midnight
The entrance into the dining room of James , his valet , with his hat and coat , and the warning words , `` Ten minutes past seven , sir , '' caused him to spring from his chair , glance at his watch with a rueful smile , and hurry out to where his car stood waiting for him . `` It 's nice to be an idol of the public , but it 's hard on the idol just the same , '' sighed Grace , as the door closed after him . `` Shall we see him again to-night ? '' `` You may stay up and wait for him if you wish , '' returned Miss Southard , `` but it will be after midnight . ` Hamlet ' is a long play . '' `` I saw Mr. Southard in ` Hamlet ' long before I knew him , '' remarked Anne . `` My father and I were in New York rehearsing the play in which I afterwards refused to work .