Great Expectations

They kept me very quiet all day, and kept my arm constantly dressed, and

gave me cooling drinks. Whenever I fell asleep, I awoke with the notion

I had had in the sluice-house, that a long time had elapsed and the

opportunity to save him was gone. About midnight I got out of bed

and went to Herbert, with the conviction that I had been asleep for

four-and-twenty hours, and that Wednesday was past. It was the last

self-exhausting effort of my fretfulness, for after that I slept

soundly.

Wednesday morning was dawning when I looked out of window. The winking

lights upon the bridges were already pale, the coming sun was like a

marsh of fire on the horizon. The river, still dark and mysterious, was

spanned by bridges that were turning coldly gray, with here and there

at top a warm touch from the burning in the sky. As I looked along

the clustered roofs, with church-towers and spires shooting into the

unusually clear air, the sun rose up, and a veil seemed to be drawn from

the river, and millions of sparkles burst out upon its waters. From me

too, a veil seemed to be drawn, and I felt strong and well.

Herbert lay asleep in his bed, and our old fellow-student lay asleep on

the sofa. I could not dress myself without help; but I made up the fire,

which was still burning, and got some coffee ready for them. In good

time they too started up strong and well, and we admitted the sharp

morning air at the windows, and looked at the tide that was still

flowing towards us.

"When it turns at nine o'clock," said Herbert, cheerfully, "look out for

us, and stand ready, you over there at Mill Pond Bank!"