midnight
The eyes unclosed and rested long and earnestly on the face of the child , who yawned as if hypnotized and flung his head back on the grandmother 's breast . She bent suddenly and laid her own hand where the child 's had been . The eyes turned inward and shut again , but a sigh , so deep it seemed that another breath might never come , was all her answer . Past midnight of the fourth night 's watch Paul was awakened by a light in his room . His mother stood beside him , white and worn . `` He is going , '' she said . It was the final rally of the body 's resistance .