three in the afternoon,
twilight
`` Done with you ! '' declared Whitaker with a strong sense of relief . As a matter of fact , he was far less incredulous of Ember 's theory than he chose to admit . Though they left New York not long after three in the afternoon , twilight was fast ebbing into night when the motor-car -- the owner driving , Whitaker invalided to the lonely grandeur of the tonneau -- swept up from a long waste of semi-wooded countryside , sparsely populated , bumped over railroad tracks , purred softly at sedate pace through the single street of a drowsy village , and then struck away from the main country road . Once clear of the village bounds , as if assured of an unobstructed way , Ember gave the motor its head ; with a long , keen whine of delight it took the bit between its teeth and flung away like a thoroughbred romping down the home-stretch . Its headlights clove a path through darkness , like a splendid sword ; a pale shining ribbon of road seemed to run to the wheels as if eager to be devoured ; on either hand woodlands and desolate clearings blurred into dark and rushing walls ; the wind buffeted the faces of the travellers like a soft and tender hand , seeking vainly if with all its strength to withstand their impetus : only the wonderful wilderness of stars remained imperturbable . Whitaker , braced against the jolting , snatched begrudged mouthfuls of air strong of the sea .