midnight
`` I do n't care what you expected , '' said Harry briefly , `` so you need n't trouble to tell me . Get into these furs here before you freeze to death ; another half-hour would have made an end of you . '' The team already had traveled far that day , but they responded gallantly to Harry 's encouragement . The cold bit deep , however , and I could scarcely move a limb when , toward midnight , with a hiss of runners and a jingle of bells , we came into sight of Fletcher 's shanty by Willow Lake . As luck would have it a light still shone in the window , and he opened the door when Harry and I made shift to draw some wrappings over the team . It grieved me to leave the poor beasts waiting there , for I found it difficult even to speak . `` It 's Mr. Lorimer , Minnie , '' Fletcher shouted ; and before I could intervene a woman 's shape filled the lighted door , while Harry said softly , `` Confound it !