two in the morning
So he termed it : but , after all , it was only like asking advice of a good man , because he did not feel himself quite good enough to advise himself . The curate was preparing to sally forth , after his frugal dinner . The morning he spent at the schools , or in parish secularities ; the afternoon , till dusk , was devoted to visiting the poor ; the night , not to sleep , but to reading and sermon writing . Thus , by sitting up till two in the morning , and rising again at six for his private devotions , before walking a mile and a half up to church for the morning service , Frank Headley burnt the candle of life at both ends very effectually , and showed that he did so by his pale cheeks and red eyes . `` Ah ! '' said Tom , as he entered . `` As usual : poor Nature is being robbed and murdered by rich Grace . ''