about midnight
You will make a small nurse , but a very good one , I dare say ! '' Mary followed him , listening to every word that fell from his lips , and reading the expression of his face with her intelligent eyes . All night long the child was on her feet moving from bed to bed , carrying drink to one , persuading another to swallow the medicine that had been prescribed , and pouring a spoonful of wine or brandy into the pale mouth of another ; thus keeping the feeble lamp of life flickering on , pauper life , it is true , but precious to them as the breath that swells the purple-clad bosom of a monarch . The nurses left the ward about midnight , and did not return for many hours . When they came back Mary turned very pale , and cowered down at the foot of Mrs. Chester 's bed . Her mother -- she knew the signs , oh , how well -- her mother had been drinking . Judge Sharp 's benevolence had provided the means of a carouse for those two wretched women .