midnight
`` What have you seen or heard ? '' inquired Nanny , eagerly , as soon as she could get in a word . `` I 've heard as muckle as micht drive a mither oot o ' her senses , '' was the reply ; `` and it has driven rest frae my bed , and ilka Sabbath-day 's thocht out o ' my head . But , to tell ye what it was : -- Some time after midnight , I heard the very same sharp rap at the window that I heard yesternight was a fortnight ; and , as I 've never sleepit sound since that awfu nicht , I started up , and listened . Aweel , after awhile , the rap was repeated , but naething spake ; and then I heard a deep , low sound upon the window-frame , which I could compare to naething save the noise of bringing in an empty coffin ; and then Nelly Jackson 's dog gae a bark , and I heard nae mair . I was aye trying to convince mysel that it micht be only a trick the first time , and this conviction gathered strength when I saw the lassie keep her health frae day to day ; but I doubt , I doubt , something _ is _ gaun to happen now ! '' `` Ay , ay ! ''