midnight
-- the last inaudible . `` I 've been wondering whether he would acknowledge the notes , '' said Handyside , brightening up and hobbling to the door . `` Marjorie , '' he called , `` for Heaven 's sake see if I 've got a decent tie for to-night ! '' * * * * * And now it was midnight . The southerly gale which had broken out late in the afternoon was booming up the loch , bombarding the house , and gusts of bitter rain were thrashing the exposed windows . Marjorie flung a couple of logs on the study fire and returned to her book . She had prepared sundry comforts for her father and was awaiting , not without anxiety , his arrival .