noon
It has always been a part of our Christmas to get one . '' Tavia was not at all particular about that part of it -- whether it was hand-picked or peddler-purchased , and she said so promptly . But the severe cold of the morning precluded the idea of an auto ride in search of the tree , and the time was spent in many little preparations for the holiday -- odds and ends that ever hang on , in spite of the most carefully-laid plans to get through in good time . By noon , however , the weather had moderated . Clouds hung thick and heavy , and not a glimmer of sun appeared , but the cold was less keen and the winds had almost entirely subsided . Joe and Roger went off to the skating-pond directly after luncheon , and Dorothy , eager to get the tree before the storm should break -LRB- for every one said it would surely snow before nightfall -RRB- , proposed the trip to the woods . Nat and Ned , as well as Tavia , readily agreed , and with plenty of extra wraps , as well as the patent foot-warming attachment from the auto radiator in operation , the party started off .