midnight
`` No Joe yet , '' she said , with a sympathetic glance toward the bed . She looked at the thick gray clouds , and added , `` Heap snow soon . '' But the night came down and the evening passed , while the women waited anxiously . It was near midnight when the wife 's face lighted up suddenly at a sound outside , and directly there was a pounding , uncertain step on the threshold . The door opened and Bennett came in clumsily . The woman 's little glad cry of welcome was changed to one of apprehension at her husband 's appearance . The resolute swing and bearing of the lumberman -- that had returned as he regained his strength -- were gone .