four o'clock
Rows upon rows of candles were fastened against the walls , above the heads of the company ; the floor was strewn with juniper twigs ; and the spinning-wheels , the carding boards , every token of household labour was removed , except a loom , which remained in one corner . In another corner was a welcome sight -- a platform of rough boards , two feet from the floor , and on it two stools . This was a token that there was to be dancing ; and indeed Oddo , the herd-boy , old Peder 's grandson , was seen to have his clarionet in his belt , as he ran in and out on the arrival of fresh parties . Before four o'clock , the whole company , consisting of about forty , had arrived . They walked about the large room , sipping their strong coffee , and helping one another to the good things on the trays which were carried round , -- the slices of bread-and-butter , with anchovies , or shreds of reindeer ham or tongue , or thin slices of salt cheese . When these trays disappeared , and the young women who had served them returned into the room , Oddo was seen to reach the platform with a hop , skip , and jump , followed by a dull-looking young man with a violin . The oldest men lighted their pipes , and sat down to talk , two or three together .