But Uncle Martin was building a house for himself at Harbour Head and did not wish to move until the ice formed over the bay because it would then be so much easier to transport his goods and chattels ; so the Campbells stayed with him until the Captain should return . Mary Margaret found plenty to do that day and was n't a bit lonesome . But when evening came she did n't feel quite so cheerful . Nellie had fallen asleep , and there was n't another living creature except the cat on the Little Dipper . Besides , it looked like a storm . The harbour was glassy calm , but the sky was very black and dour in the northeast -- like snow , thought weather-wise Mary Margaret . She hoped her mother would get home before it began , and she wished the lighthouse star would gleam out on the Big Dipper . It would seem like the bright eye of a steady old friend . Mary Margaret always watched for it every night ; just as soon as the sun went down the big lighthouse star would flash goldenly out in the northeastern sky . `` I 'll sit down by the window and watch for it , '' said Mary Margaret to herself . `` Then , when it is lighted , I 'll get up a nice warm supper for Mother and Uncle Martin . '' Mary Margaret sat down by the kitchen window to watch . Minute after minute passed , but no light flashed out on the Big Dipper . What was the matter ? Mary Margaret began to feel uneasy . It was too cloudy to tell just when the sun had set , but she was sure it must be down , for it was quite dark in the house . She lighted a lamp , got the almanac , and hunted out the exact time of sunsetting . The sun had been down fifteen minutes ! And there was no light on the Big Dipper ! Mary Margaret felt alarmed and anxious .
What was wrong XXXXX the Big Dipper ?
Besides after at before by down for like on to