midnight
When the violence of her grief had expended itself , and she could lift her face to view calmly her loss and new responsibilities , the unvoiced prayer of her heart was : `` O God , help me ; I can not work alone ; let me know what to do ; help me to think and act aright , and strengthen my trembling faith , that whatever may come to me , I can say : ` God knows it is for the best . ' '' Even as she prayed , help came to her , for Olive could not sleep , and feeling assured that her mother was awake , had come noiselessly in , and now stood by her . `` Mama , I can not sleep either ; let me stay with you . '' `` Olive , my child , it is past midnight . '' `` I know , mama , '' and as Olive spoke , she pushed a stool to her mother 's feet , and sat down , for something in the voice assured her that she was welcome . `` Why could n't you sleep , dear ? '' `` Thinking , '' answered Olive , gravely .