midnight
Going to the table she opened her portfolio , the gift of Guy , and with her gold pen , also his gift , wrote to him what the neighbors were saying , and that he must come there no more ; at least , only once in a great while , because if he did , she could not see him . Then , when this was written , she went down to Uncle Joseph , beginning to call for her , and sat by him as usual , singing to him the songs he loved so well , and which this night pleased him especially , because the voice which sang them was so plaintive , so full of woe . Would he never go to sleep , or the hand which held hers so firmly relax its hold ? Never , it seemed to Maddy , who sat and sang , while the night-bird on a distant tree , awakened by the low song , uttered a responsive note , and the hours crept on to midnight . Human nature could endure no more , and when the crazy man said to her , `` Now sing of Him who died on Calvary , '' Maddy 's answer was a gaping cry as she fell fainting on the pillow . `` It was only a nervous headache , '' she said to the frightened Flora , who came at Uncle Joseph 's call , and helped her young mistress up to bed . `` She should be better in the morning , and she would rather be alone . ''