About eight o'clock
The firelight played upon the ceiling , the kettle sang softly , the sufferer moaned , the light brought the rumble of a cart , and they awoke from shallow sleeps that blurred but did not extinguish consciousness of the actual present . `` You must not uncover yourself ; you will catch cold . Let me pin this shawl about you . '' About eight o'clock Emma knocked at the door . Frank asked her to make him a cup of tea . The morning dragged along amid many anxieties , for he could see she was worse than she had been over night . `` The disease must take its course , '' said the doctor ; `` we shall be fortunate if by poulticing we can stop it ; if we ca n't , it will come to a head in about eight or nine days ' time , and then it will break .