four o’clock
In the meantime it had grown late . `` You 'd better stay here for the night , '' said Madam Olsen . Lasse stood wavering . There was the boy sleeping alone , and he had to be at the farm by four o'clock ; but it was cold outside , and here it was so warm and comfortable in every way . `` Yes , perhaps I 'd better , '' he said , laying down his hat and coat again . * * * * * When at about four he crept into the cow-stable from the back , the lantern was still burning in the herdsman 's room . Lasse thought he was discovered , and began to tremble ; it was a criminal and unjustifiable action to be away from the herd a whole night .