midnight
before
While the sick man slept or made believe to sleep , Rubach was quiet as a mouse ; but when he awoke the ecstatic praises began again , until , before the public knew more of the new actress than her name , our poor invalid was sick of her and of her praises to the very soul . He tried , however , to take some interest in the piece , and as he became stronger he began to grow a little anxious about his own share in its success . When the eventful night came he was able to sit up for an hour before the piece began , and Rubach had to leave him . It was midnight before the faithful chum returned , and after looking in on the invalid , who seemed to slumber calmly , sat down for a final pipe by his own bedside . But Christopher was only ` playing ` possum , ' as our playful American cousins put it , and , his anxiety over-riding his desire for quiet , he called out , ` Is that you , Carl ? ' ` Yes , ' said the other , hastening into his room on tiptoe . ` I thought you were asleep . '