noon
`` I never did think much of men-folks standin ' round in stores gawpin ' while women-folks was tradin ' , '' said she . She would not allow Ephraim to go , although he pleaded hard . It was quite a cold day , and she was afraid of the sharp air for his laboring breath . A little after noon she set forth , all alone in the chaise , slapping the reins energetically over the white horse 's back , a thick green veil tied over her bonnet under her chin , and the thin , sharp wedge of face visible between the folds crimsoning in the frosty wind . While she was gone Rebecca sat beside the window and sewed , Caleb shelled corn in the chimney-corner , and Ephraim made a pretence of helping him . `` You set down an ' help your father shell corn while I am gone , '' his mother had sternly ordered . Occasionally Ephraim addressed whining remonstrances to his father , and begged to be allowed to go out-of-doors , and Caleb would quiet him with one effectual rejoinder : `` You know she wo n't like it if you do , sonny .