nearly midnight
He walked away , leaving his son in a state of seething irritation . Extraordinary that a man could think of trumpery ailments at such a time ! It was unlike his father too , whose personal fitness and soundness , whether on the moors , in the hunting field , or in any other sort of test , had always been triumphantly assumed by his family , as part of the general brilliance of Sir Arthur 's role in life . Douglas sombrely set himself to study the picture catalogue , and sat smoking and making notes till nearly midnight . Having by that time accumulated a number of queries to which answers were required , he went in search of his father . He found him in the drawing-room , still playing backgammon with Lady Laura . `` Oh Duggy , I 'm so tired ! ''