midnight
`` I 'll make you a New-Year 's call , '' he said , going out ; and she called out that she should be sure to expect him . She seemed so strong that Holmes and Mrs. Polston and Margret , who were there , were going home ; besides , old Yare said , `` I 'd like to take care o ' my girl alone to-night , ef yoh 'd let me , '' -- for they had not trusted him before . But Lois asked them not to go until the Old Year was over ; so they waited down-stairs . The old man fell asleep , and it was near midnight when he wakened with a cold touch on his hand . `` It 's come , father ! '' He started up with a cry , looking at the new smile in her eyes , grown strangely still . `` Call them all , quick , father ! ''