midnight
By the time the Coroner arrived , the doctor was too busy to care what happened . On oath he said a few words that he hoped would make life easier for Kate , and at the same time pass muster for truth ; told the Coroner what witnesses to call ; and gave an opinion as to Peter 's condition . He also added that he was sure Peter 's family would be very glad he was to suffer no more , and then he went back to Kate who was suffering entirely too much for safety . Then began a long vigil that ended at midnight with Kate barely alive and Sarah Nepple , the Walden mid-wife , trying to divide a scanty wardrobe between a pair of lusty twins . KATE slowly came back to consciousness . She was conscious of her body , sore from head to foot , with plenty of pain in definite spots . Her first clear thought was that she was such a big woman ; it seemed to her that she filled the room , when she was one bruised ache from head to heels .