about midnight
`` But God is merciful ; I think he will forgive you ; for your need is bitter . '' Cooper replied that the binding was man 's , but the pages were God 's ; and , either for this or another more obvious reason , the leaves were declined for food . All that afternoon Hazel was making a sort of rough spoon out of a fragment of wood . The night that followed was darker than usual , and , about midnight , a hand was laid on Helen Rolleston 's shoulder and a voice whispered -- `` Hush ! say nothing . I have got something for you . '' At the same time something sweet and deliciously fragrant was put to her lips ; she opened her mouth and received a spoonful of marmalade .