nearly nine o'clock
There were no fences , there were no roads , but all was one mass of glittering white , and the wind was still at work tossing the billions of sharp little ice-needles into the face of any one who ventured to peep out , sending a shower of snow into an open door , and piling it up in great drifts in every sheltered spot . So nearly everybody who was comfortable at home , and had plenty to eat in the house , at once decided to stay there . There was no use trying to dig themselves out until the snow stopped falling , and the wind got tired of tossing it about . The villagers were late in getting up , for the snow before the windows made it dark , and it was nearly nine o'clock when Mrs. Burns said to Maggie , `` You must try to get to the well ; I 'm out of water . '' So Maggie put on her coat and mittens , tied her hood down over her ears , took the pail , and went out . Fortunately , the kitchen door was in a sheltered place , and no snow was piled up before it , but she had a hard time getting through the drifts to the well . However , she did at last succeed in drawing the water and getting back to the door .