anchor: Ever since the early hours of the morning, John had been hard at work, sending telegrams, one of the first had gone to Evelyn Howard, writing notices for the papers, and generally occupying himself with the melancholy duties that a death entails. 
positive: Beginning from the wee hours of the morning, John was working diligently to send telegrams, write notices and other duties when dealing with a death.
negative: John sat there unable to do any work, contemplating his loss of family.