midnight
THE COWARD . `` Geoffrey , '' said General Faversham , `` look at the clock ! '' The hands of the clock made the acutest of angles . It was close upon midnight , and ever since nine the boy had sat at the dinner-table listening . He had not spoken a word , indeed had barely once stirred in the three hours , but had sat turning a white and fascinated face upon speaker after speaker . At his father 's warning he waked with a shock from his absorption , and reluctantly stood up . `` Must I go , father ? ''