two o'clock in the morning
said she , frankly , and she meant what she said . At those rare intervals when Billie fell into a fitful sleep , I used to steal out of the room and pay a visit to the dining-room , where , on two arm-chairs on opposite sides of the fire , the poor father and his friend sat drearily smoking , and waiting until the small hours of the morning . It was useless to tell Mr Thorold to go to bed . His wife had breathed her last at two o'clock in the morning , and he was possessed by a dread that Billie would do the same . At three or thereabouts he might be persuaded to move , but until then it was but a waste of breath to ask it . Poor fellow ! To have his old friend by his side was the best comfort that was left , but how he must have missed his wife , and how endlessly , breathlessly long the hours must have seemed , sitting with folded hands , with nothing to do but to wait !