midnight
I hoped that my wife would be in bed , but she was waiting for me . She said that I looked sick , and wanted to know what was the matter . I told her that I had a headache , and got into bed as soon as possible ; but I could n't sleep . Long after midnight my wife rose and turned on the light and came to my bed and said that she knew I was troubled about something -- that she had seen it in my face for weeks . She begged that I would let her help me bear it . Then I told her the truth , and discovered -- for I did n't know her before -- one of the noblest women in the world . She hid her face in the pillow , and then I had a bad moment . '' '