midday
Her love , the love of a mother , was fanned into a flame , a veritable pain to her heart . Then the motherly affection hindered the growth of the broader human feeling , burned it ; and in place of a great sentiment a small , dismal thought beat faint-heartedly in the gray ashes of alarm : `` He will perish ; he will fall ! '' Late that night the mother sank into a heavy sleep , but rose early , her bones stiff , her head aching . At midday she was sitting in the prison office opposite Pavel and looking through a mist in her eyes at his bearded , swarthy face . She was watching for a chance to deliver to him the note she held tightly in her hand . `` I am well and all are well , '' said Pavel in a moderated voice . `` And how are you ? ''