ten o'clock
He meditated on Woman . A quarter of an hour before dinner-time he left the room ; on his return , when the meal was ready , he found Alma still sleeping , and so soundly that it seemed wrong to wake her . As rays of sunset had begun to fall into the room , he drew the blind , then quietly went out , and had dinner by himself . At ten o'clock Alma still slept . Using a closely-shaded lamp , Harvey sat in the room with her and read -- or seemed to read ; for ever and again his eyes strayed to the still figure , and his thoughts wandered over all he knew of Alma 's life . He wished he knew more , that he might better understand her . Of her childhood , her early maidenhood , what conception had he ?