five in the morning
The old man had not roused when he had first spoken to him , and the nurse had said that his last conscious words had been a call for his grandson . Goaded by this thought , Richard turned back before he had so much as reached the foot of the garden , where he had thought he should spend at least a quarter of an hour . As he came in at the door he was met by Roberta , cool and fresh in blue . It was but five in the morning ; surely she did not commonly rise at this hour , even in May . The thought made his heart leap . She came straight to him and put both hands in his , saying in her friendly , low voice : `` Mr. Kendrick , I 'm sorry -- sorry ! '' He looked long and hungrily into her face , holding her hands with such a fierce grasp that he hurt her cruelly , though she made no sign .