six o'clock
When she had done , and was standing for a moment to see if the fire ` drew ' properly , Mrs. Costello spoke to her . She understood no English , however , or at least she understood none addressed to her by a strange voice , and said so in her own soft musical language . When the question was repeated in Ojibway , however , her face brightened , and she was perfectly ready to answer all Mrs. Costello chose to ask . She said the weather had only changed towards six o'clock . No boat , however , had arrived , but it might be on the other side of the island , where the passage was broader and safer than on this , the Canadian side . As soon as she was gone the two women , anxious and uneasy , rose and dressed that they might be ready . Ready for what they scarcely knew ; but they had the feeling common enough when nothing can possibly be done , that it would be a comfort to be prepared to do something .