midnight
In former times wild beasts , panthers or wolves , had made it their home ; it now served as a dwelling for young Hermas and his father . Many similar caves were to be found in the holy Fountain , and other anchorites had taken possession of the larger ones among them . That of Stephanus was exceptionally high and deep , and yet the space was but small which divided the two beds of dried mountain herbs where , on one , slept the father , and on the other , the son . It was long past midnight , but neither the younger nor the elder cave - dweller seemed to be sleeping . Hermas groaned aloud and threw himself vehemently from one side to the other without any consideration for the old man who , tormented with pain and weakness , sorely needed sleep . Stephanus meanwhile denied himself the relief of turning over or of sighing , when he thought he perceived that his more vigorous son had found rest . `` What could have robbed him of his rest , the boy who usually slept so soundly , and was so hard to waken ? ''