four o'clock
Not only were the little bushes along the shore entirely submerged but many of the pines standing upon higher ground were also under water . As he threw on his clothes , he tried to decide whether there was anything he ought to do . Would it be well to call up the Fernalds , or telephone to the mills , or to the village , and give warning of the conditions ? It was barely four o'clock and the first streaks of light were but just appearing . Nevertheless , there must be persons who were awake and as alert as he to the transformation the darkness had wrought . Moreover , perhaps there was no actual danger , and should this prove to be the case , how absurd he would feel to arouse people at daybreak for a mere nothing . It was while he paused there indecisively that a sight met his eye which spurred hesitancy to immediate action .