midday
At the foot the tradesman had written , `` Hon. sir , sorry we could not get bat in time to send home , so forward to you direct to Grandcourt School , by rail . '' `` There we are , '' said the doctor , putting the document in his pocket . `` This ought to bring mamma in twenty-four hours . The telegraph office is shut now , but we 'll wake Mr Splicer up early , and have mamma under weigh by midday . Good-night , Railsford -- keep the pot boiling , my good fellow -- I 'll look round early . '' He was gone , and Railsford with sinking heart set himself to the task before him . He long remembered that night .