nine o'clock
Next morning , the spring asserted itself , -- there came a whiff of wind from the south and a feeling of thaw . The sled-runners began to cut through to the frozen ground , and about the tree-trunks , where thin crusts of ice were sparkling , came a faint musical sound of trickling drops . The sun was regnant , and little brown birds flew cheerily over the snow and talked of nests . Amelia finished her housework by nine o'clock , and then sat down in her low rocker by the south window , sewing in thrifty haste . The sun fell hotly through the panes , and when she looked up , the glare met her eyes . She seemed to be sitting in a golden shower , and she liked it . No sunlight ever made her blink , or screw her face into wrinkles .