Before
going out, I stepped into the office of the stable,
slipped a half-dollar into the hostler's palm and asked
him once more to be sure to have the horses fed at
half-past five in the morning.
Then I left. A slight haze filled the air, not heavy
enough to blot out the stars; but sufficient to promise
hoarfrost at least. Somehow there was no reason to despair
as yet of Christmas weather.
I went home and to bed and slept about as soundly as I
could wish. When the alarm of my clock went off at five
in the morning, I jumped out of bed and hurried down to
shake the fire into activity. As soon as I had started
something of a blaze, I went to the window and looked
out. It was pitch dark, of course, the moon being down
by this time, but it seemed to me that there was snow on
the ground. I lighted a lamp and held it to the window;
and sure enough, its rays fell on white upon white on
shrubs and fence posts and window ledge. I laughed and
instantly was in a glow of impatience to be off.
At half past five, when the coffee water was in the kettle
and on the stove, I hurried over to the stable across
the bridge.
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