noon
He made agonizing efforts to retain control over the surging wave of anguish , rising , rising , rising from his breast to his brain . And failing to do so , he fell with the mighty cry of one who , even in the death agony , protests against the victor . The news spread as if all the birds in the air carried it . There were a dozen physicians in Seat-Sandal before noon . There was a crowd of shepherds around it , waiting in silent groups for their verdict . All the afternoon the gentlemen of the Dales were coming and going with offers of help and sympathy ; and in the lonely parlor the rector was softly pacing up and down , muttering , as he walked , passages from the `` Order for the Visitation of the Sick '' : -- `` O Saviour of the world , who by thy cross and precious blood hast redeemed us , save us , and help us , we humbly beseech thee , O Lord . `` Spare us good Lord .