midnight
For a time her father sat quietly listening to the sound of her breathing , then arising , he softly drew aside the curtains and looked long and anxiously at her as she slept . Suddenly lifting his hands he exclaimed , `` Oh , God , save her , or help me to bear it if she dies . '' It was the first prayer which for long , long years had passed his lips , but it had a power to bring back the olden feeling , when a happy boy , he had knelt at his mother 's side , and was not ashamed to pray . Falling on his knees , he tried to recall the words of prayer his mother had taught him , but one petition alone came from his heart in that dark , midnight hour . `` Oh , do n't let Fanny die , do n't let her die , for who will comfort old Joshua when she is gone . '' `` The Saviour ; He who once wept at the grave of Lazarus will be more to you than I ever was , or ever can be , '' said Fanny . In her sleep she dreamed that her father prayed .