midnight
Susan , slim , sympathetic , was always on hand , -- with clean sheets on her arm or with hot water for the nurse or with a message for the doctor . She penciled a little list for Billy to carry to the drugstore , she made Miss Foster 's bed in the room adjoining Auntie 's , she hunted up the fresh nightgown that was slipped over her aunt 's head , put the room in order ; hanging up the limp garments with a strange sense that it would be long before Auntie 's hand touched them again . `` And now , why do n't you go to bed , Jinny darling ? '' she asked , coming in at midnight to the room where her cousins were grouped in mournful silence . But Billy 's foot touched hers with a significant pressure , and Susan sat down , rather frightened , and said no more of anyone 's going to bed . Two long hours followed . They were sitting in a large front bedroom that had been made ready for boarders , but looked inexpressibly grim and cheerless , with its empty mantel and blank , marble-topped bureau .