six in the morning
If I do a thing , I have a reason for it . '' So the seventh night passed without any relief , and the soldier stationed on guard at the cell door crossed himself , shuddering , over and over again , as he listened all night long to heart-rending moans . The Gadfly 's endurance was failing him at last . At six in the morning the sentinel , just before going off duty , unlocked the door softly and entered the cell . He knew that he was committing a serious breach of discipline , but could not bear to go away without offering the consolation of a friendly word . He found the Gadfly lying still , with closed eyes and parted lips . He stood silent for a moment ; then stooped down and asked : `` Can I do anything for you , sir ?