midnight
Chimney and stovepipe tempered the cold . A crack in the gable end let in a sift of snow that had been heaping up a lonely little drift on the bare floor . The widow covered the boys tenderly and took their treasures off the bed , all save the little wooden monkey , which , as if frightened by the melee , had hidden far under the clothes . She went below stairs to the fire , which every cold day was well fed until after midnight , and began to enjoy the sight of her own gifts . They were a haunch of venison , a sack of flour , a shawl , and mittens . A small package had fallen to the floor . It was neatly bound with wrappings of blue paper .