a quarter
before twelve
she muttered . `` If anybody 's comin ' , they could n't see their way . '' Then she lighted another lamp and set it in the window . It was a quarter before twelve when her trembling hands failed her , and she laid down her knitting and walked to the front door . The northeast wind whipped her in the face , and she could hear the surf at Breakers ' Edge . The pathway of light from the window lay upon a figure by the gate . A voice came out of the stillness .