midday
With an innate sense of fellow-feeling , Malcolm laid down the other 's hand , rose , and went out without a word . The night was perfect with the glorious light of the waning moon . His mind was at once made up . He would be home by daylight and back again with his dogs by midday , with stimulants and blankets , and could have Roderick in Nancy 's skilled hands before night . Noiselessly opening the door , he filled the stove once more , piled up spare billets close to the bedside , laid out what food was left , placed his kettle full of water on the ground within reach of the sick man , and , just whispering , `` I 'll be back soon , sir , '' disappeared into the night . How fast he sped only the stars and moon shall say . But joy lent him wings which brought him home before daylight .