noon
inquired Oscar . `` The storm is n't over yet , and if I make a path , it will fill right up again . '' `` No it wo n't , '' replied his father . `` I do n't think it will storm much longer ; and the snow is so light , now , that you can shovel it easily , but if you leave it till noon , it maybe trodden down hard . You need not clean off the whole side-walk now ; only make a comfortable passage-way , and perhaps I will help you finish the job at night . '' Oscar still thought it would be a waste of labor to shovel a path then , and he did not evince any haste in obeying his father 's order . After loitering about the house a long time , he took the shovel , and worked lazily at the path for awhile .