The ominous night lamp was never extinguished.

We slept in our clothes night after night, so as to wake the more easily in case of sudden need.

We watched, we waited, but we scarcely hoped.
Once in a while I was allowed to take a short turn in the sick-room.
It was awful to sit beside my mother's bed in the still night and see her helplessness.

She had been so strong, so active.

She used to lift sacks and barrels that were heavy for a man, and now she could not raise a spoon to her mouth.