about four o'clock
`` He did , '' said Hiram ; and he burst into a loud laugh , in which Mandy joined . The laughing was quickly hushed as the kitchen door opened and Ezekiel entered , warmly dressed for his fight with the snow and carrying a heavy cane in his hand . `` Call the dog , Hiram , '' said Ezekiel , `` and we 'll start . Mandy , tell Jim and Bill to come over to Deacon Mason 's for me about four o'clock , unless it looks too bad ; if it does they need n't try it till to-morrow morning . '' `` All ready , '' said he to Hiram , who was patting Swiss 's head , and off they started . Again Mandy went to the window and watched the progress of the travellers . Mrs. Crowley came into the kitchen and seeing Mandy at the window quietly turned out a mug of the hot cider and drank it .