midnight
`` It is in vain , '' said he . `` It is all in vain . It is all in vain . '' Then he returned back to the parlour , and seating himself again in the arm-chair , remained there without speaking till past midnight . At last , when she told him that she herself was very cold , and reminded him that for the last hour there had been no fire , still speechless , he went up with her to their bed . Early on the following morning she contrived to let him know that she was about to send a neighbour 's son over with a note to Mr. Walker , fearing to urge him further to change his mind ; but hoping that he might express his purpose of doing so when he heard that the letter was to be sent ; but he took no notice whatever of her words . At this moment he was reading Greek with his daughter , or rather rebuking her because she could not be induced to read Greek .