midnight
She saw the door open into the other room ; saw the supper-table , with its snowy cloth ; heard the dreamy murmur of the singing tea-kettle ; saw Ruth tripping backward and forward , with plates of cake and saucers of preserves , and ever and anon stopping to put a cake into Harry 's hand , or pat his head , or twine his long curls round her snowy fingers . She saw the ample , motherly form of Rachel , as she ever and anon came to the bedside , and smoothed and arranged something about the bedclothes , and gave a tuck here and there , by way of expressing her good-will ; and was conscious of a kind of sunshine beaming down upon her from her large , clear , brown eyes . She saw Ruth 's husband come in , -- saw her fly up to him , and commence whispering very earnestly , ever and anon , with impressive gesture , pointing her little finger toward the room . She saw her , with the baby in her arms , sitting down to tea ; she saw them all at table , and little Harry in a high chair , under the shadow of Rachel 's ample wing ; there were low murmurs of talk , gentle tinkling of tea-spoons , and musical clatter of cups and saucers , and all mingled in a delightful dream of rest ; and Eliza slept , as she had not slept before , since the fearful midnight hour when she had taken her child and fled through the frosty starlight . She dreamed of a beautiful country , -- a land , it seemed to her , of rest , -- green shores , pleasant islands , and beautifully glittering water ; and there , in a house which kind voices told her was a home , she saw her boy playing , free and happy child . She heard her husband 's footsteps ; she felt him coming nearer ; his arms were around her , his tears falling on her face , and she awoke ! It was no dream .