nearly half
past two
`` I sat up for him . Knowing that he had gone out with Mr. Barling , and , finding that he had not returned by eleven o'clock , I could not go to bed . I said nothing to Miriam , but sat up alone . It was nearly half past two when he came home in company with Barling . Both , I am sorry to say , were so much intoxicated , that they could scarcely make their way up stairs . '' `` Oh , Edith ! '' exclaimed the stricken mother , hiding her face in her hands , and weeping aloud .