ten o'clock
Bill growled , looking about . John was comforted by seeing in the face of his brother the same rapt expression which he felt was on his own . He walked along almost mechanically , scarcely feeling the sidewalk , his thoughts still dwelling on the lady and the play . It was after ten o'clock , and the stores were all shut , the frost lay thick and white on the plank walk , and the moon was shining as only a moon can shine through the rarefied air on the Western prairies , and overhead the stars in innumerable hosts swam in the absolutely cloudless sky . John stumbled along , keeping hold of Lime 's hand till they reached the team standing at the sidewalk , shivering with cold . The impatient horses stretched their stiffened limbs with pleasure and made off with a rearing plunge . The men were noisy .