nearly two o'clock
Unless when talking to his father , everything in his manner , tone , conversation was free , unfettered by convention , fresh , if at times startling . This was his great charm , and at the same time his great defect , for it revealed his want of qualities no less than his qualities . Do what she could she was unable to escape from the incident of last night , it was as though those strong arms had not quite released their hold upon her , as though Pan had broken from the bushes , shown her by his magic things she had never dreamed of , and vanished . It was nearly two o'clock when they reached Vernons . Richard Pinckney was at home , and at the sight of him Phyl 's heart went out towards him . Clean , well groomed , honest , kindly , he was like a breath of fresh sea air after breathing tropical swamp atmosphere . Strange to say Miss Pinckney seemed to feel somewhat the same .