midnight
That evening , lost in troubled thought , the young pastor of the Jerusalem Church sat alone before the fire , in his little study . Once his wife knocked timidly and opening the door , said , `` James , dear , it 's time you 're going to bed . '' `` Not now , Fanny , '' he answered ; and she , knowing well what that tone of voice meant , retired to her room , after seeing everything snug for the night . The cocks were crowing midnight ; the fire burned lower and lower . Once he impatiently hitched his chair a little closer , but made no other move , until , just as the clock chimed three , he arose stiffly to his feet and stood shivering with cold , looking at the blackened embers . Then he made his way to his chamber , where he fell asleep like a man tired out with a hard day 's work . All the next day he said nothing , but was silent and moody , and the following night sat once more alone in his study , thinking , thinking , thinking , until again the fire went out and he was cold .