midnight
And as she sat hour after hour , psalms learned years before , and read many and many a time without apprehension of their meaning , began to speak to her . She saw the words with her spiritual sight , and they shone with their own glory . And she obtained what she so sorely needed : A little comforting shadow From the hot sun 's fiery glow ; A little rest by the fountain Where the waters of comfort flow . When midnight struck she looked at the clock and thanked God . Surely she was safe for that night ; and she turned the key in her door and went to sleep . And her sleep was that which God giveth to his beloved when they are to be strengthened for many days -- a deep , dreamless suspense of all thought and feeling . Yet , heavenly as the sleep had been , the awakening was a shock .