two o’clock in the morning
What time was it when you saw the fair woman with the knife in her hand ? '' Isaac reflected on what the landlord had said when they had passed by the clock on his leaving the inn ; allowed as nearly as he could for the time that must have elapsed between the unlocking of his bedroom door and the paying of his bill just before going away , and answered : `` Somewhere about two o'clock in the morning . '' His mother suddenly quitted her hold of his neck , and struck her hands together with a gesture of despair . `` This Wednesday is your birthday , Isaac , and two o'clock in the morning was the time when you were born . '' Isaac 's capacities were not quick enough to catch the infection of his mother 's superstitious dread . He was amazed , and a little startled , also , when she suddenly rose from her chair , opened her old writing-desk , took pen , ink and paper , and then said to him : `` Your memory is but a poor one , Isaac , and , now I 'm an old woman , mine 's not much better . I want all about this dream of yours to be as well known to both of us , years hence , as it is now .