After they had shoveled away the snow from the great barn doors, they went to the house, and began to clear the steps before the doors, and to make paths in the yards.

They worked in this way for half an hour, and then, just as the sun began first to show its bright, glittering rays above the horizon, they went into the house.

They found that the great fire which Jonas had built, was burnt half down; the breakfast-table was set, and the breakfast itself was nearly ready.
The boys came to the fireplace, to see what they were going to have for breakfast.
"Boys," said the farmer's wife, while she was turning her cakes, "go and call Amos in to family prayers,--and Jonas." "You go, Oliver," said Josey.
Oliver said nothing, but obeyed his mother's direction.

He went into the barn-yard, and he found Amos and Jonas at work in a shed beyond, getting down a sled which had been stowed away there during the summer.

It was a large and heavy sled, and had a tongue extending forward to draw it by.
"What are you getting out that sled for ?" said Oliver.
"To haul wood on," said Jonas.