midnight
Then Barry took Mrs. Burgoyne to the station , and lifted his hat to the bright face at the window as the train pulled out in the dusk . He went slowly to his office from the train and attacked the litter of papers and clippings on his desk absent-mindedly . Once he said half aloud , his big scissors arrested , his forehead furrowed by an unaccustomed frown , `` We were only kids then ; and they all thought I was the one who was going to do something big . '' Barry appeared at Mrs. Carew 's house a little after midnight to find the card-players enjoying a successful supper , and the one topic of conversation the possible sale of Holly Hall . Barry , suspected of having news of it , was warmly welcomed by the tired , bright-eyed women and the men in their somewhat rumpled evening clothes , and supplied with salad and coffee . `` Is she really coming , Barry ? '' demanded Mrs. Lloyd eagerly .