noon
Gorge , went up from time to time ; but , though she offered the old woman refreshment prepared by her own hand , she could not persuade her even to moisten her lips with a little fruitsyrup , for to break the prescribed fast might endanger 3the accuracy of her prognostications and the result of all her labor . However , when she seemed to doze , her granddaughter sprinkled strong waters about the room to freshen the air , poured a few drops on the old lady 's dress , wiped the dews from her brow , and fanned her to cool her . Damia submitted to all this ; and though she had only closed her weary eyes , she pretended to be asleep in order to have the pleasure of being cared for by her darling . Towards noon she dismissed the Magian and allowed herself a short interval of rest and sleep ; but as soon as she woke she collected her wits , and set to work again with fresh zeal and diligence . When , at last , she had mastered all the signs and omens , she knew for certain that nothing could avert the awful doom foretold by the oracles of old . The fall of Serapis and the end of the world were at hand . The Magian covered his head as he saw , plainly demonstrated , how she had reached this conclusion , and he groaned in sincere terror ; she , however , dismissed him with perfect equanimity , handing him her purse , which she had filled in the morning , and saying : `` To last till the end . ''