half past ten
Then he descended the five flights of stairs deliberately enough , but once out of earshot of his friends , he ran several blocks . Before going into the house he took off his shoes . In spite of the precaution , his mother called to him as he passed her room . It was half past ten . Beck and Hench kicked de Laney 's chair aside , and drew up more comfortably before the fire ; but James would have none of it . He seemed to be excited . `` No , '' he vetoed decidedly .