midnight
After a little interval another came , and then another , until all had returned , Uncle Alec being the last , and still no news of Bert . They were bidden to take some rest and refreshment before going back in to the woods . While they were sitting in the kitchen , Uncle Alec , who was exceedingly fond of Bert , and felt more concerned about him than he cared to show , having no appetite for food , went off toward the red gate with no definite purpose except that he could not keep still . Presently the still midnight air was startled with a joyful `` Hurrah ! '' followed close by a shout of `` Bert 's all right -- he 's here , '' that brought the people in the house tumbling pell-mell against each other in their haste to reach the door and see what it all meant . -LSB- Illustration : `` Crazy Colin strode up the road , bearing Bert high upon his shoulder . '' -- _ Page 79 .