noon
Although he only undertook to cut a narrow passage-way through the drift in front of the house , he worked with so little spirit , that when the time came for him to get ready for school , he had not half completed the task . He asked permission to stay at home and finish his path , but his mother did not think this necessary , and refused her consent . So he went to school , and in the meantime the storm died away , and the clouds dispersed . Towards noon the door-bell rang , and on Bridget going to answer it , a little printed paper was handed to her , directing the occupant of the house to have the snow removed from his sidewalk within a given number of hours . After school , Oscar thought no more of his path , but went off with Alfred Walton , and did not go home until dinner-time . He had but little time now to shovel snow ; but his father told him to be sure and come home directly from school , in the afternoon , and not to play or do anything else until the sidewalk was cleared off . Oscar accordingly went home after school , and resumed his work .