midnight
`` Had n't I better go to the hospital now , Mrs. Jones ? '' `` Not just yet , my dear ; them is but the first labour pains ; plenty of time to think of the hospital ; we shall see how you are in a couple of hours . '' `` Will it last so long as that ? '' `` You 'll be lucky if you get it over before midnight . I have been down for longer than that . '' `` Do you mind my stopping in the kitchen with you ? I feel frightened when I 'm alone . ''