midday
I said to him , ` you know you said yourself that she was certain to die , so what is the good of all these preparations of yours ? ' ``` Even so , it is better to do all this , ' he replied , ` so that I may have an easy conscience . ' `` A pretty conscience , forsooth ! `` After midday Bela began to suffer from thirst . We opened the windows , but it was hotter outside than in the room ; we placed ice round the bed -- all to no purpose . I knew that that intolerable thirst was a sign of the approaching end , and I told Pechorin so . ``` Water , water ! '