i got up , ready for tears , and i took my candle down to the main room of the inn , trying not to make a sound on the crooked winding stone stairs , and i got a light from a candle there on a hook on the wall , at the mouth of the passage , and i went back up , clinging to this comforting little light , shielding the shuddering flame with my cupped hand and praying still , and then i set down the candle .