midnight
The child took the bread and butter the old woman gave him , and sat on the bed smiling at her as he ate it hungrily , quite contented now ; and the only sounds that broke the silence after a time were the mutterings of the sick man . But these did not disturb the child , who finished his bread and butter , and drank some sweet tea which the old woman gave him , after which his little head sank sidewise , his eyes closed , and he fell fast asleep on the foot of the bed . The night was warm , and he needed no coverlet , while from time to time the hard-faced old woman went to look at her patient , giving him a cursory glance , and then stopping at the bedside to gently stroke the child 's round cheek with her rough finger , and as the little fellow once broke into a crowing laugh in his sleep , it had a strange effect upon the old nurse , who slowly wiped the corners of her eyes with her apron , and bent down and kissed him . Hour after hour was chimed and struck by the great clock in the centre of the town ; and as midnight passed , the watchful old nurse did her watching in a pleasant dream , in which she thought that she was once more young , and that boy of hers who enlisted , went to India , and was shot in an encounter with one of the hill tribes , was young again , and that she was cutting bread and butter from a new loaf . It was a very pleasant dream , and lasted a long time , for the six o'clock bell was ringing before she awoke with a start and exclaimed -- `` Bless me ! must have just closed my eyes . Why , a pretty bairn ! ''