After loitering about the house a long time, he took the shovel, and worked lazily at the path for awhile.

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.