midnight
The day dragged on . Downstairs people ate and read and wrote letters , and outside newspaper men talked together and gazed over at the house and photographed the doctors coming in and the doctors going out . As for me , in the intervals of bringing things , I sat in Bella 's chair in the upper hall , and listened to the crackle of the nurse 's starched skirts . At midnight that night the doctors made a thorough examination . When they came out they were smiling . `` He is doing very well , '' the younger one said -- he was hairy and dark , but he was beautiful to me . `` He is entirely conscious now , and in about an hour you can send the nurse off for a little sleep .