noon
So long . '' Crisp weather and an additional snowstorm during the week that preceded the holidays gave the youngsters of the Vermont town full assurance of a white Christmas . And they would have been mightily disappointed lads if such had not been the case , for what would a Community Christmas celebration and a town Christmas tree be like without snow everywhere ? It was good packing snow , too , as numerous snow fights at noon time , on the academy campus , attested . But , aside from these noon-day diversions , the Quarry Scouts had little time to indulge in Winter sports that week . The hills about town were just right for coasting and the broad Champlain Valley stretched north and south to be explored on snowshoes , skis , and with sleigh-riding parties , but the scouts could not find time to enjoy these opportunities . Rather , they found their fun in anticipating a good time after Christmas , providing the snow lasted , for they had work to do .