ten o'clock
In a deliberate business-like way , he proceeded to investigate the affairs of the dying woman and the prospects of her daughter ; in a word , he asserted his authority as a brother , and Joyce was relieved and happy to obey him . It is not in times of gaiety that friendships are formed , but in sorrow or suspense . During that long evening this brother and sister suddenly became intimate , more so than months of prosperous intercourse could have made them . At ten o'clock Stephen quietly insisted that Joyce should go to bed while he lay down , all dressed , on the sofa in the dining-room . `` I shall sleep perfectly ; it is not the first time I have slept in my clothes , '' he said simply . They went upstairs together and told the nurse of this arrangement . Joyce remained for some moments by the bedside watching her mother 's peaceful sleep , and when she turned she found that Stephen had quietly slipped away .