ten o'clock
Caleb and Deborah went to bed , and Ephraim could hear his father 's snores and his mother 's heavy breathing from a distant room . Ephraim could not go to sleep . He lay there and longed for the frosty night air , the sled , and the swift flight down the white hill as never lover longed for his mistress . At half-past ten o'clock Ephraim rose up . He dressed himself in the moonlight -- all except his shoes ; those he carried in his hand -- and stole out in his stocking-feet to the entryway , where his warm coat and cap , which he so seldom wore , hung . Ephraim pulled the cap over his ears , put on the coat , cautiously unbolted the door , and stepped forth like a captive from prison . He sat down on the doorstep and put on his shoes , tying them with trembling , fumbling fingers .