nearly
midnight
Once she heard distinctly the familiar knock . It seemed to rouse her from slumber : she sprang to the door and opened it , but no one was there . She ran half way down the stairs , but saw no one . It was now nearly midnight . The movement had dispelled for a little the lethargy which was growing upon her , and she suddenly came to a resolution . Taking a sheet of note-paper , she wrote this : -- `` I have been without work for a fortnight . All my money is done , and I am in want .