about ten o'clock
One winter 's night we were gathered there -- it was the winter that for years afterward they called the hard winter -- and that particular night was a sharp one . It blew a gale outside , and the screaming of the wind was a stirring sound , and I think I may say it was beautiful , for I think it is great and fine and beautiful to hear the wind rage and storm and blow its clarions like that , when you are inside and comfortable . And we were . We had a roaring fire , and the pleasant spit-spit of the snow and sleet falling in it down the chimney , and the yarning and laughing and singing went on at a noble rate till about ten o'clock , and then we had a supper of hot porridge and beans , and meal cakes with butter , and appetites to match . Little Joan sat on a box apart , and had her bowl and bread on another one , and her pets around her helping . She had more than was usual of them or economical , because all the outcast cats came and took up with her , and homeless or unlovable animals of other kinds heard about it and came , and these spread the matter to the other creatures , and they came also ; and as the birds and the other timid wild things of the woods were not afraid of her , but always had an idea she was a friend when they came across her , and generally struck up an acquaintance with her to get invited to the house , she always had samples of those breeds in stock . She was hospitable to them all , for an animal was an animal to her , and dear by mere reason of being an animal , no matter about its sort or social station ; and as she would allow of no cages , no collars , no fetters , but left the creatures free to come and go as they liked , that contented them , and they came ; but they did n't go , to any extent , and so they were a marvelous nuisance , and made Jacques d'Arc swear a good deal ; but his wife said God gave the child the instinct , and knew what He was doing when He did it , therefore it must have its course ; it would be no sound prudence to meddle with His affairs when no invitation had been extended .