midnight before
Jerome himself could not get to sleep soon ; once or twice Elmira spoke to him , and he called back reassuringly , but his own nerves were at a severe tension . `` What has got into us all ? '' he thought , impatiently . It was midnight before he lost himself , and he had slept hardly an hour when he wakened with a great start . A wild clamor , which made his blood run cold , came from below . He leaped out of bed and pulled on his trousers , hearing all the while , as in a dream , his mother 's voice shrilling higher and higher . `` Oh , Abel , Abel , Abel !