hours after midnight
She would wonder next if it would be safe for God to close his eyes for one minute - safe for the world , she meant ; and hope that , if ever he did close his eyes , that might not be the one moment when she should see his face . Then she would nod , and wake up with a start , flutter silently to her feet , and go and peep at the slumberer . Never was woman happier than Annie was during those blessed midnights and cold grey dawns . Sometimes , in those terrible hours after midnight that belong neither to the night nor the day , but almost to the primeval darkness , the terrors of the darkness would seize upon her , and she would sit `` inhabiting trembling . '' But the lightest movement of the sleeper would rouse her , and a glance at the place where he lay would dispel her fears . One night she heard a rustling amongst the bushes in the garden ; and the next moment a subdued voice began to sing : I waited for the Lord my God and patiently did bear ; At length to me he did incline , my voice and cry to hear . He took me from a fearful pit , and from the miry clay , And on a rock he set my feet , establishing my way .