Ten minutes to eight
A cold light was streaming through the curtains ; the fire was still glowing ; but her limbs were stiff and chilled under her shawl . She sprang up , horror descending on her . Her shaking fingers could hardly draw out the watch in her belt . _ Ten minutes to eight _ ! For the first time the girl felt nerve and resolution fail her . She looked at Mrs. Hurd and wrung her hands . The mother was muttering and moving , but not yet fully awake ; and Willie lay as before .