about
seven o'clock
He brightened up considerably the week before Christmas , and watched Elizabeth and Lady Evelyn deck his room with box and fir and holly . The mother was quiet and very undemonstrative , but she attached herself to the dying man , and he regarded her with a pitying tenderness , for which there appeared to be no cause whatever . As she carried away her boy in her arms on Christmas-eve , he looked sadly after her , and , touching Elizabeth 's hand , said , `` Be varry good to her , wilt ta ? '' They had all spent an hour with him in honor of the festival , and about seven o'clock he went to bed . Richard knew that the ladies would be occupied for a short time with some Christmas arrangements for the poor of the village , and he remained with the squire . The sick man fell into a deep sleep , and Richard sat quiet , with his eyes fixed upon the glowing embers . Suddenly , the squire spoke out clear and strong -- `` Yes , father , I am coming ! ''