But it was by now just as far back to Cousin Mattie 's as it was to Uncle Alec 's , so we struggled on , growing more frightened at every step . We could hardly face the stinging snow , and we could not see ten feet ahead of us . It had turned bitterly cold and the tempest howled all around us in white desolation under the fast-darkening night . The narrow path we were trying to follow soon became entirely obliterated and we stumbled blindly on , holding to each other , and trying to peer through the furious whirl that filled the air . Our plight had come upon us so suddenly that we could not realize it . Presently Peter , who was leading the van because he was supposed to know the path best , stopped . `` I ca n't see the road any longer , '' he shouted . `` I do n't know where we are . '' We all stopped and huddled together in a miserable group . Fear filled our hearts . It seemed ages ago that we had been snug and safe and warm at Cousin Mattie 's . Cecily began to cry with cold . Dan , in spite of her protests , dragged off his overcoat and made her put it on . `` We ca n't stay here , '' he said . `` We 'll all freeze to death if we do . Come on -- we 've got to keep moving . The snow ai n't so deep yet . Take hold of my hand , Cecily . We must all hold together . Come , now . ''
`` It wo n't be nice to be frozen XXXXX death , but if we get through alive think what a story we 'll have to tell , '' said the Story Girl between her chattering teeth .
around as at because by in of on to upon