noon
The night was long and wearisome , but the morning came all too soon for the dread certainty it brought . The doctor pronounced the case smallpox . Eunice had hoped against hope , but now , knowing the worst , she was very calm and resolute . By noon the fateful yellow flag was flying over the house , and all arrangements had been made . Caroline was to do the necessary cooking , and Charles was to bring the food and leave it in the yard . Old Giles Blewett was to come every day and attend to the stock , as well as help Eunice with the sick man ; and the long , hard fight with death began . It was a hard fight , indeed .