midday
It would make her mind easier to see Maisie junior , and get a forecast of probabilities at the farm . Ruth was not hard to prevail upon to do this , and was driven away by Tom over slushy roads , through the irresolute Winter 's unseasonable Christmas Eve , after delegating some of her functions to Elizabeth-next-door . Old Maisie still remained asleep , and almost motionless . With some help from Elizabeth-next-door the perfunctory midday meal had been served , very little more than looked at , and cleared away ; then the motionless figure on the bed stirred visibly , breathed almost audibly . At this time of the day vitality is at its best , with most of us . Gwen , standing by the bedside , saw the lips move , and , bending forward , heard speech . When she said , a moment after : -- `` I think I must have been asleep .