eight in the
morning
In fact , the nights while remaining clear were hardening . The mercury in the tube sank by possibly a degree every two nights , at last touching zero ; and it correspondingly failed to arise by as much at noon . The days were cruelly short . Darkness lasted until eight in the morning ; it dropped down again at five . The frost crept deeper into the earth . But construction advanced . The dam of brush and uncemented smooth brown stones , stretching across the Pinas , was gradually rising .