four o’clock
Even those who were best acquainted with them could only guess at the direction of some of the roads , and it was the easiest thing in the world to lose the right track , even in broad daylight . As soon as the storm was over , however , and the frost was found likely to continue , they had begun to cut passages through some of the deeper wreaths , as they called the snow-mounds ; while over the tops of others , and along the general line of the more frequented roads , footpaths were soon trodden . It was many days , however , before vehicles could pass , and coach-communication be resumed between the towns . All the short day , the sun , though low , was brilliant , and the whole country shone with dazzling whiteness ; but after sunset , which took place between three and four o'clock , anything more dreary can hardly be imagined , especially when the keenest of winds rushed in gusts from the north-east , and lifting the snow-powder from untrodden shadows , blew it , like so many stings , in the face of the freezing traveller . Early one afternoon , just as I came home from school , which in winter was always over at three o'clock , my father received a message that a certain laird , or _ squire _ as he would be called in England -- whose house lay three or four miles off amongst the hills , was at the point of death , and very anxious to see him : a groom on horseback had brought the message . The old man had led a life of indifferent repute , and that probably made him the more anxious to see my father , who proceeded at once to get ready for the uninviting journey . Since my brother Tom 's departure , I had become yet more of a companion to my father ; and now when I saw him preparing to set out , I begged to be allowed to go with him .