He had only taken the time to assure himself of its truth by a second telegram,and had hastened...

He had only taken the time to assure himself of its truth by a second telegram,and had hastened...
He had only taken the time to assure himself of its truth by a second telegram,and had hastened to forestall any less careful,less tender friend in bearing the sad message.
He had only taken the time to 这个怎么理解
网上查到的翻译是：
他在收到第二封电报后才相信这消息是确切的,便赶紧行动以防有朋友听到这一噩耗后做出轻率、鲁莽的事来.
但仍然不懂take the time是啥意思