nearly noon
`` But once in a while they do as they did to-day -- when there is a large pack of them . '' Snap and Shep had made their traps and had some success at fishing , having caught four pike of fair size and also several catfish . That night came a fall of snow , which covered the ground to the depth of several inches . In the morning it was so cold they were glad enough to hug the fire until nearly noon . In the afternoon Whopper went out on the lake and soon came back with news . `` What do you think ? '' he called out .