midnight
They remembered with sudden and sharp anxiety the peril that Betty had endured , though neither spoke of it ; and always they smiled courageously when most their hearts failed . Then came the black hours of suffering and doubt . A wild storm was beating outside and Truedale , hearing it , wondered whether all the great events of his life were to be attended by those outbursts of nature . He walked the floor of his room or hung over Lynda 's bed , and at midnight , when she no longer knew him or could soothe him by her brave smile , he went wretchedly away and upon the dim landing of the stairs came upon Ann , crouching white and haggard . His nerves were at the breaking point and he spoke sharply . `` Why are you not in bed ? '' he asked .