midnight
`` Alford , Alford , lose not a moment ! '' she cried . `` It 's the croup . '' The soldier acted as if his camp were attacked at midnight . There were swift feet , the trampling of a horse ; and soon the skill of science , the experience of age , and motherly tenderness confronted the black shadows , but they remained immovable . The child gasped and struggled for life . Grace , half frantic , followed the doctor 's directions with trembling hands , seeking to do everything for her idol herself as far as possible .