nearly midnight
He waited to see John tear open the envelope and read the telegram . `` My mother 's sick , '' was John 's hurried statement as he turned toward the house . Hugh drove John Hunter to the station . The sun was hot and he had read till nearly midnight the night before , and , busy season though it was , he thought it best not to start home till toward night . Doctor Morgan had returned home and Hugh , as was his custom , went to the office for a chat . It was one of the chief delights of both to have an hour together . `` Do they get along well together -- Hunter and his wife ? ''