Supper was to be ready at a quarter after.

To surprise him I had beaten up some biscuits, and I had just put them in the pan when I heard the clock strike the hour.

Afraid that he would come before they were baked, I thrust the pan into the oven and ran to the front door to look out.

It was snowing very hard, and the road looked white and empty, but as I stood there a horse and cutter came in sight, which, as it reached the gate, drew up in a great hurry, as if something was the matter.

Frightened, because I'm always thinking of harm to my husband whose work is very dangerous, I ran out bare-headed to the gate, when I saw why the man in the sleigh was making me such wild gestures.