midnight
`` There are so many demands upon my time that -- '' `` I know , '' a little impatiently ; `` but now that you are here please tell me how I am this morning . '' `` How do you feel ? '' `` I do not suffer , but it takes more morphine to quiet the pain . Janet has used the hypodermic four times since midnight , '' with a glance at the gray-robed nurse who stood silently by the table . The doctor nodded , thoughtfully looking down her . There was small evidence of illness in her appearance , but he knew that her hours were numbered and that the dread disease that had fastened upon her was creeping on with ever increasing activity . She knew it , too , and smiled a grim little smile as she added : `` How long can I last , at this rate ? ''