nearly midnight
`` I kept saying it over and over and I was not afraid . '' For a moment Mrs. Merrill did not reply . She stooped and kissed her little daughter , and then said : `` That was right , dear child . '' It was nearly midnight when Mrs. Merrill and Winifred reached home , and Gilbert lifted a very sleepy little girl from the pony-cart . `` Mrs. Pernell and Ruth are here , '' he said , `` and she has some hot broth ready . '' Gilbert looked after Ned 's pony before following his mother and sister into the house . Mrs. Pernell had already prepared his supper and he had eaten it with Ruth on reaching home after their long walk ; but that seemed a long time ago , and he was quite ready to sit down at the candle-lit table and join the others .