midnight
He also felt obliged to make an effort , rather reluctantly , to maintain some decent standing in the classes of Professor Hope , even if he shirked in all the rest . And now life , on the whole , save for one carking care that perched on his shoulder by day and sat on his eyelids at night , was very pleasant ; though he could not flatter himself that he was absolutely a free agent . After all ordinary engagements of concerts , theatres , lectures , or what not , he entered the house undisturbed , and noiselessly sought his couch . But one night , when he ventured to stay out till after midnight , just as he was stealing in softly , Mrs. Oliver 's gentle voice came from the head of the stairs , saying , `` Good-night , Edgar , the lamp is lighted in your room ! '' Edgar closed his door and sat down disconsolately on the bed , cane in hand , hat on the back of his head . The fire had burned , to a few glowing coals ; his slippers lay on the hearth , and his Christmas `` easy jacket '' hung over the back of his great armchair ; his books lay open under the student-lamp , and there were two vases of fresh flowers in the room : that was Polly 's doing . `` Mrs. Oliver was awake and listening for me ; worrying about me , probably ; I dare say she thought I 'd been waylaid by bandits , '' he muttered discontentedly .