three o'clock before
Gus stepped closer , with an ugly leer , his flat nose dilated , his sinister bead eyes wide apart , gleaming apelike , as he laughed : `` We ai n't atter money ! '' The girl uttered a cry , long , tremulous , heart-rending , piteous . A single tiger spring , and the black claws of the beast sank into the soft white throat and she was still . It was three o'clock before Marion regained consciousness , crawled to her mother , and crouched in dumb convulsions in her arms . `` What can we do , my darling ? '' the mother asked at last . `` Die -- thank God , we have the strength left ! ''