noon
The short spring day was over , and the chilly night was setting in . Tip had reached home finally , had split the wood for the next day , done whatever he could find to do about the house , and then carried the vests which his mother had just finished to the clothing-store , -- going away around behind the mill so as to avoid passing the schoolhouse , lest he might chance to see some of the boys . Then he came home , ate his supper in silence , and went up to his attic . He felt better than he had at noon , but his heart was still heavy , and he dreaded the next day , not knowing what he ought to do , or how to do it . This was Thursday evening , but he did n't mean to go to prayer-meeting . Kitty had asked him , had even coaxed a little , but he said , `` No , not to-night . '' He felt stiff and sore from his long sitting under the great tree in the early spring dampness .