half past twelve before
Occasionally he chuckled , and often he shook his head . He could make nothing out of it . One thing only was certain -- he had never before met a human being exactly like this specimen . It was half past twelve before there were signs of life in the bedroom . Seth was setting the table for dinner , when the door of the room opened a little way , and a voice said : `` I say , are you there ? '' `` I be . What do you want ? ''