midnight
Had you entered that little room an hour later , a touching sight would have met your eyes . Viola was seated on her brother 's knee , her arms round his neck , whilst Ephraim with the gentle love of a brother for a younger sister , was stroking her hair , and whispering in her ear sweet words of solace . The bird-cage was empty ... . That evening Ephraim sat up till midnight . Outside in the Ghetto reigned the stillness of night . All at once Ephraim rose from his chair , walked to the old bureau which stood near the door , opened it , and took from it a bulky volume , which he laid upon the table in front of him . But he did not seem at all bent upon reading .