midnight
In the interval Richard had retired to a telephone , and had made the wires between his present position and the stone pile warm with his orders . In consequence a certain gray-haired housekeeper , lately returned from some family festivities of her own and about to retire , found herself galvanized into activity by the sound of a well-known and slightly imperious voice issuing upsetting instructions to have the best suite of rooms in the house made ready within half an hour for occupancy , and the house itself lighted for the reception of the guests . Other commands to butler and Mr. Richard 's own manservant followed in quick succession , and when the young man turned away from the telephone he was again smiling to himself at thought of the consternation he was causing in a household accustomed to be run upon such lines of conservatism and well defined routine that any deviation therefrom was likely to prove most unacceptable . He himself was at home there such a small portion of his time , and during the periods he spent there was so careful never to bring within its walls any festival-making of his own , he knew just how astonishing to the middle-aged housekeeper , the solemn-faced old butler , and the rest of them , would be these midnight orders . He was enjoying the giving of such orders all the more for that ! Old Matthew Kendrick assisted Mrs. Rufus Gray into his luxuriously fitted , electric-lighted town-car as if she had been a royal personage , wrapping about her soft , thick rugs until she was almost lost to view . `` Why , I could n't be cold in this shut-in place , '' she protested .