midnight before
Twice he stopped and looked out of the window , and then at the clock . But each time he put the impulse aside . He must not interfere . It was almost midnight before he took his lamp and went up-stairs ; at David 's door he hesitated , and then went in . The little boy was lying curled up like a puppy , his face almost hidden in his pillow , but his cheek glowing red under the soft thatch of hair . Dr. Lavendar , shading his lamp with one hand , looked down at him a long time . On the wall behind him and half-way across the ceiling , the old man 's shadow loomed wavering and gigantic , and the light , flickering up on his face , deepened the lines of age and of other people 's troubles .