nearly midnight before
My father gathered up the remaining quails , some of which he meant to eat in the morning , while the others he would throw away as soon as he could find a safe place . He turned towards the mountains , but before he had gone a dozen yards he heard a voice , which he recognised as Panky 's , shouting after him , and saying -- `` Mind you do not forget the true reading of the Sunchild 's prayer . '' `` You are an old fool , '' shouted my father in English , knowing that he could hardly be heard , still less understood , and thankful to relieve his feelings . The incidents recorded in the two last chapters had occupied about two hours , so that it was nearly midnight before my father could begin to retrace his steps and make towards the camp that he had left that morning . This was necessary , for he could not go any further in a costume that he now knew to be forbidden . At this hour no ranger was likely to meet him before he reached the statues , and by making a push for it he could return in time to cross the limits of the preserves before the Professors ' permit had expired . If challenged , he must brazen it out that he was one or other of the persons therein named .