midnight
He also at once sent off to Mrs Hadden to inform her of the accident , and to assure her that her son was well taken care of . Immediately she received the sad news , she set off to see Ben . She could not bear the thought of letting him remain with strangers , however kind they might prove . It was almost midnight when she arrived . Ben 's friend received her kindly , and her heart was comforted when she found that her son was going on so well . The gentleman told her that he was Lieutenant Charlton , of the navy , and again assured her that he would take good care of the boy . Satisfied that Ben 's new friend would keep his word , she returned home the next day .