midnight
Well -- but oh , my God ! how can I tell the dreadful truth ! -- yet I must nerve myself to confess the whole matter . At midnight , Mrs. Franklin brought into the room a small copper cup , which contained a small quantity of _ lead _ ; this cup she held over the lamp until the lead was melted as thin as water ; and then she handed it to me , and told me to go softly into her husband 's room , and _ pour the lead into his ear _ ! I DID IT ! Yes , as God is my Judge , I did it ! -- The poor gentleman was lying on his side , in a sound sleep ; with a steady hand I poured the liquid metal into his ear -- _ it did not awake him !