midnight
Therefore tell him , please , that his father is dropping off to sleep , and must not on any account be disturbed ; and that we are sitting up with him by turns , and will let him know at once should there be any occasion for his presence . '' Ned was glad to hear that his father was likely to get off to sleep ; and although he would gladly have sat up with him , he knew that it was much better that he should have the surgeon beside him . The burgomaster 's wife , a kind and motherly woman , took him aside into a little parlour , where a table was laid with a cold capon , some manchets of bread , and a flask of the burgomaster 's best wine . As Ned had eaten nothing since the afternoon , and it was now past midnight , he was by no means sorry to partake of some refreshment . When he had finished he was conducted to a comfortable little chamber that had been prepared for him , and in spite of his anxiety about his father it was not long before he fell asleep . The sun was high before he awoke . He dressed himself quickly and went downstairs , for he feared to go straight to his father 's room lest he might be sleeping .