the hour of twelve
On taking hold of him , though she did it in the gentlest manner possible , with a view to assist him out of the bed , he screamed out that she was breaking him to fragments , with such vociferation that the neighbours flocked in , to ascertain what was the cause . She could give no proper explanation ; for , although she had already got some insight into the nature of the disease , she felt ashamed to exhibit the weakness of her husband ; but he , who felt no delicacy on the subject , accused her , with tears in his eyes , of an intention to break him into pieces ; called her a cruel woman , and appealed to several of those present whether it was reasonable to suppose that a person who had a part of his body made of glass could be safely handled in the rough manner in which the careless and temerarious woman had begun to touch and move him from the only safe position he could ever enjoy on earth . The poor woman wept as she told me that his speech was received by the neighbours with a loud laugh . I sympathised with her , and told her , with much grave and real sincerity , that I would do everything I could for her husband ; and in the meantime recommended her again to try to get him out of bed by the hour of twelve , when I would call and see him , and try some remedy for him . I called accordingly , but found that the wife 's efforts had proved unavailing ; he was still in bed on his face , and murmuring strong and bitter reproaches against his helpmate , whom he eyed with an expression of mixed anger and terror . `` Is it not horrible , sir , '' he vociferated , `` that a woman should attempt to take the life of her husband ? Say , as a Christian and a man , if I ought not to be handled in a manner suitable to the nature of the substance of which a part of my body is composed ?