ten o'clock
`` I p ` intedly dassent to leave her over one night -- and not a soul with her but Sammy , and he nothin ' but a chile -- and not a neighbor within a mild of our place -- and sech a night ! Pap and me we 'll hitch up an ' mak ' ` as ' e back to Huldy . We 'll be here to the funeral a Sunday -- but I dassent to stay away from Huldy nair another hour now . '' And so , at ten o'clock that bitter night , Pap and Aunt Cornelia came hurrying home . As the wagon drove up the mountain trail to the house , the hounds came belling joyously to meet them ; but no light gleamed cheerfully from the windows ; no door was flung gayly open ; no little Huldy cried out her glad greeting . Filled with formless apprehensions , Pap climbed over the wheel , lifted Cornelia down , and dreading they knew not what , the two went , -- holding by each other 's hand , -- opened the door , and entered , shrinking and reluctant . They blew the smouldering coals to a little flame , piled on light-wood till the broad blaze rolled up the chimney , then looked about .