eight o'clock
It made him angry to be obliged to go into the snow ; and finding Pussy alone there , he scolded her a little to relieve himself . '' This explanation satisfied everybody , it was so perfectly natural . Everybody wondered that they had not thought of it before , -- indeed , thought they had , -- and soon forgot all about it , and continued coasting . This , however , had an end , like all other pleasures ; for eight o'clock had struck long ago , and that was the hour at which they were to break up and go home . On the way back , Otto charged Pussy not to speak of her adventure ; otherwise their mother would never again let them go coasting in the moonlight . She should have the candy cock , but must promise not to say a word if she took it . All traces of her tears had long vanished , and nothing betrayed their secret to the family .