eleven o'clock
Moreover , it was nearly dark . It snowed heavily all night , and Madam Liberality slept very little from pain and anxiety ; but this did not deter her from going out with the first daylight in the morning to rake among the snow near the door , although her throat was sore beyond concealment , her jaws stiff , and the pleasant languor and quick-wittedness had given way to restless fever . Her conscience did prick her a little for the anxiety she was bringing upon her mother -LRB- her own sufferings she never forecast -RRB- ; but she could not give up her Christmas-tree without a struggle , and she hoped by a few familiar remedies to drive back the threatened illness . Meanwhile , if the shillings were not found before eleven o'clock it would be too late to send to the town shop by the carrier . But they were not found , and the old hooded cart rumbled away without them . It was Christmas Eve . The boys were bustling about with holly .