one in the morning
Nearer and nearer -- close to the outside of the door -- a pause , and a soft hesitating tap . The great gaunt figure sitting by her side quivered at the sound . Molly rose and went to the door : it was Robinson , the old butler , holding in his hand a covered basin of soup . `` God bless you , Miss , '' said he ; `` make him touch a drop o ' this : he 's gone since breakfast without food , and it 's past one in the morning now . '' He softly removed the cover , and Molly took the basin back with her to her place at the Squire 's side . She did not speak , for she did not well know what to say , or how to present this homely want of nature before one so rapt in grief . But she put a spoonful to his lips , and touched them with the savoury food , as if he had been a sick child , and she the nurse ; and instinctively he took down the first spoonful of the soup .