noon
`` Providing the roof does n't leak , '' declared Shep . `` When it rains we must watch for leaks and try to stop them up -- with bark or with the canvas . '' For several days after the cabin was finished , the boys rested from their labors and took it easy . An unusually warm spell followed the short cold snap and one day , at noon , all took a dip in the lake . But the water was so cold they remained in only a few minutes and all were glad enough to hurry back into their clothing . `` A cold bath like that goes a good ways , '' declared Shep . `` If a fellow stayed in too long he 'd freeze to death . ''