midnight before
It was characteristic of Nicholas to forget his own share in that little ten-day-old scene . Also it may be safely averred that Doctor Hilary would be equally forgetful . Nicholas still sat gazing into the fire , chuckling every now and then to himself . It was midnight before he rang for Jessop . The ringing had been preceded by one short sentence . `` By gad , Nick the dare-devil , the scheme 's worthy of the old days . '' Antony was sitting on the stoep of his bungalow .