midnight
Even in the public-houses a kind of solemn awe was present . No jokes were passed , even among those who were drunken . It seemed as though the Angel of Death were hovering over the town in which Paul had lived for so many years . When midnight came , a messenger went from Brunclough Lane to Dr. Wilson 's house . It was a neighbour of Mrs. Dodson 's , who had been aroused from his sleep , and who had been requested to fetch the doctor , as her daughter was worse . There was a communication by means of a tube between the front door and the doctor 's bedroom . `` Hallo , Dr. White ! ''