midnight
Olivia had already arranged to take the earlier part of the night in the sick-room , and when Dr. Randolph had paid his evening visit , Deb took possession of the couch again . Olivia had promised faithfully to wake her at three o'clock . A long afternoon nap had refreshed Olivia , and a few hopeful words from the doctor had cheered her immensely . A little after midnight she was sitting down by the bedside with some knitting to keep her awake , when a movement from the bed made her look up . Aunt Madge 's eyes were fixed on her ; there was a strange solemnity and deep sadness in their expression , and as Olivia rose hastily and bent over her with a tender inquiry , the feeble voice whispered : `` Do n't fret any more , Livy , the Master does not need me yet -- not yet , '' and then scarcely audibly , `` I shall not die , but live and declare the works of the Lord , '' and then it seemed to Olivia that the weary eyelids closed in sleep again . When her turn for rest came , Olivia felt almost too agitated to sleep ; the sad yearning in the sunken eyes haunted her ; too well she knew that the fresh gift of life would only be an additional cross laid on the weary shoulders . What was life to Aunt Madge now but suffering and deprivation , a daily stumbling among shadows , as she had once called it .