about midnight
Strong entered enthusiastically into his plans , but both agreed that preliminary studies were necessary both for architects and artists . The old world must be ransacked to the depths of Japan and Persia . Before their dinner-hour was reached , they had laid out a scheme of travel and study which would fill a life-time , while the Home of Music in New York was still untouched . After dinner and a cigar , they fought a prodigious battle over the influence of the Aryan races on the philosophy of art , and then , dusk coming on , they went to sleep , and finished an agreeable journey at about midnight . When at last they drove up to the hotel door in the frosty night , and stamped their feet , chilled by the sleigh-ride from the station , the cataract 's near roar and dim outline under the stars did not prevent them from warmly greeting Mr. Murray who sallied out to welcome them and to announce that their supper was waiting . The three women had long since gone to bed , but Mr. Murray staid up to have a chat with the boys . He was in high spirits .