midnight
Under similar influences Geoffrey himself had been guilty of wilder indiscretions than the kissing of a half-caste girl . But when he thought the matter over , he was sorry that it had occurred ; and he was profoundly thankful that nobody had seen him . Somebody had seen him , however . The faithful Tanaka , who had been charged by Mr. Ito , the Fujinami lawyer , not to let his master out of his sight , had followed him at a discreet distance during the whole of that midnight stroll . He had observed the talk and the attitudes , the silences and the holding of hands , the glad exchange of kisses , the sitting of Yaé on Geoffrey 's knees , and her triumphant return , carried in his arms . To the Japanese mind such conduct could only mean one thing . The Japanese male is frankly animal where women are concerned .