midnight
Trollopy women in their under-petticoats and with their hair hanging about their necks were gathered at the end of the court . Aggie was crying again , and John pushed through the crowd without speaking . They went back by Broad Sanctuary , where a solitary policeman was pacing to and fro on the echoing pavement . Big Ben was chiming the half-hour after midnight . The child coughed like a sheep constantly , and Aggie kept saying , `` Oh , oh , oh ! '' Mrs. Pincher , in her widow 's cap and white apron , was waiting up for them , and John committed the child to her keeping . Then he said to Aggie , who was turning away , `` My poor child , you have suffered deeply , but if you will leave this man I will help you to begin life again , and if you want money I will find it . ''