noon
She had in the course of a few weeks brought the invalid to such a state of helpless docility , that the poor soul yielded herself entirely to her sister 's orders , and did not even dare to complain of her slavery to Briggs or Firkin . Mrs. Bute measured out the glasses of wine which Miss Crawley was daily allowed to take , with irresistible accuracy , greatly to the annoyance of Firkin and the butler , who found themselves deprived of control over even the sherry-bottle . She apportioned the sweetbreads , jellies , chickens ; their quantity and order . Night and noon and morning she brought the abominable drinks ordained by the Doctor , and made her patient swallow them with so affecting an obedience that Firkin said `` my poor Missus du take her physic like a lamb . '' She prescribed the drive in the carriage or the ride in the chair , and , in a word , ground down the old lady in her convalescence in such a way as only belongs to your proper-managing , motherly moral woman . If ever the patient faintly resisted , and pleaded for a little bit more dinner or a little drop less medicine , the nurse threatened her with instantaneous death , when Miss Crawley instantly gave in . `` She 's no spirit left in her , '' Firkin remarked to Briggs ; `` she ai n't ave called me a fool these three weeks . ''