four o’clock
Therefore Turkey and I , when the darkness began to grow thick enough , went prowling and watching about the manse until we found an opportunity when she was out of the way . The moment this occurred we darted into the nursery , which was on the ground floor , and catching up my two brothers , I wee Davie , he Allister , we hoisted them on our backs and rushed from the house . It was snowing . It came down in huge flakes , but although it was only half-past four o'clock , they did not show any whiteness , for there was no light to shine upon them . You might have thought there had been mud in the cloud they came from , which had turned them all a dark grey . How the little ones did enjoy it , spurring their horses with suppressed laughter , and urging us on lest the old witch should hear and overtake us ! But it was hard work for one of the horses , and that was myself .