midnight
`` And he 's so capable . The other day something went wrong with the kitchen range , just as I was expecting some friends of Bob 's for dinner ; and do you know , when Mr. Winterman heard we were in trouble , he came and took a look , and knew at once what to do ? I told him it was a dreadful pity he was n't married ! '' Close on midnight , when the session on the verandah ended , and the two young men were strolling down to the bungalow at Winterman 's side , Bernald 's mind reverted to the image of the fertilizing cloud . There was something brooding , pregnant , in the silent presence beside him : he had , in place of any circumscribing impression of the individual , a large hovering sense of manifold latent meanings . And he felt a distinct thrill of relief when , half-way down the lawn , Doctor Bob was checked by a voice that called him back to the telephone . `` Now I 'll be with him alone ! ''