about
two o’clock
The night was spent in pain of mind , and the comfort the ex-Minister gave him , that a seat would be found for him by the Government , gave him no thrill . He knew he had enemies in the Government , that the Prime Minister was the friend of the successful only , and that there were others , glad of his defeat , who would be looking for his place . Also he was sure he had injured the chances of the Government by the defeat of his policy . As though Creation was in league against him , a heavy storm broke about two o'clock , and he went to bed cursed by torturing thoughts . `` Chickens come home to roost -- '' Why did that ancient phrase keep ringing in his ears when he tried to sleep ? Beaten by his illegitimate son at the polls , the victim of his own wrong-doing -- the sacrifice of penalty ! He knew that his son , inheriting his own political gifts , had done what could have been done by no one else .