when Anderson Crow awoke with a start. He was amazed, for to awake in
the middle of the night was an unheard-of proceeding for him. He caught
the clang of the last five strokes from the clock, however, and was
comforting himself with the belief that it was five o'clock, after all,
when his wife stirred nervously.

"Are you awake, Anderson?" she asked softly.

"Yes, Eva, and it's about time to get up. It jest struck five. Doggone,
it's been blowin' cats and dogs outside, ain't it?" he yawned.

"Five? It's twelve-now, don't tell me you counted the strokes, because I
did myself. Ain't it queer we should both git awake at this unearthly
hour?"

"Well," murmured he sleepily now that it was not five o'clock, "it's a
mighty good hour to go back to sleep ag'in, I reckon."

"I thought I heard a noise outside," she persisted.

"I don't blame you," he said, chuckling. "It's been out there all
night."

"I mean something besides the wind. Sounded like some one walkin' on the
front porch."

"Now, look here, Eva, you ain't goin' to git me out there in this
blizzard--in my stockin' feet--lookin' fer robbers--"

"Just the same, Anderson, I'm sure I heard some one. Mebby it's some