noon
Only I am sick , burning out , with only a crippled mind left -- from being badly hurt -- It never got well . ... And now it is dying of its hurt -- Cecile ! -- Mother of God ! -- before it dies I do forgive him -- and ask forgiveness -- for Christ 's sake -- '' Toward noon the janitor broke in the door . It was late in December before Drene opened his eyes in his right senses . He unclosed them languidly , gazed at the footboard of his bed , then , around at the four shabby walls of his room . `` Cecile ? ''