midnight
In their company he had ceased to think very definitely about his own plight . Now he was alone . He wondered what Helen would do ... He put his hand to his cheek -- it was still smarting from the blow that had waked his primitive hatred ... He was standing in this same position before the washbasin , smoking furiously , when the attendant came for him . `` It 's past midnight , '' the man said . `` I guess your folks ai n't coming . '' Fred stirred . `` No , I guess not , '' he echoed , with resignation .