five o’clock
She who had begun her career as a cottage-girl , a small quarry-owner 's daughter , had sunk so low as to the position of laundress , had engaged in various menial occupations , had made an unhappy marriage for love which had , however , in the long run , thanks to Jocelyn 's management , much improved her position , was at last to see her daughter secure what she herself had just missed securing , and established in a home of affluence and refinement . Thus the sick woman excited herself as the hours went on . At last , in her tenseness it seemed to her that the time had already come at which the household was stirring , and she fancied she heard conversation in her daughter 's room . But she found that it was only five o'clock , and not yet daylight . Her state was such that she could see the hangings of the bed tremble with her tremors . She had declared overnight that she did not require any one to sit up with her , but she now rang a little handbell , and in a few minutes a nurse appeared ; Ruth Stockwool , an island woman and neighbour , whom Mrs. Pierston knew well , and who knew all Mrs. Pierston 's history . ` I am so nervous that I ca n't stay by myself , ' said the widow .