noon
The `` rich and idle , '' represented in the person of Caroline , were meantime falling fast into a condition of prostration , whose quickly consummated debility puzzled all who witnessed it except one ; for that one alone reflected how liable is the undermined structure to sink in sudden ruin . Sick people often have fancies inscrutable to ordinary attendants , and Caroline had one which even her tender nurse could not at first explain . On a certain day in the week , at a certain hour , she would -- whether worse or better -- entreat to be taken up and dressed , and suffered to sit in her chair near the window . This station she would retain till noon was past . Whatever degree of exhaustion or debility her wan aspect betrayed , she still softly put off all persuasion to seek repose until the church clock had duly tolled midday . The twelve strokes sounded , she grew docile , and would meekly lie down . Returned to the couch , she usually buried her face deep in the pillow , and drew the coverlets close round her , as if to shut out the world and sun , of which she was tired .