nearly ten o'clock
The sick man was too feeble to talk much . The tears and the hand-clasp with his father told the story of his reconciliation , of the bursting out of the old love , which had not been extinguished , only smothered for a time . Philip thought best that he should not become excited with the meeting , and in a little while drew the Brother Man out into the other room . By this time it was nearly ten o'clock . The old man stood hesitating in a curious fashion when Philip asked him to be seated . And again , as before , he asked if he could find a place to stay over night . `` You have n't room to take me in , '' he said when Philip urged his welcome upon him .