After he had finished his work, he would read and study by the fireside.

I weathered some merry snow storms, and spent some cheerful winter evenings by my fireside, while the snow whirled wildly without, and even the hooting of the owl was hushed.

Like the wasps, before I finally went into winter quarters in November, I used to resort to the northeast side of Walden, which the sun, reflected from the pitch pine woods and the stony shore, made the fireside of the pond it is so much pleasanter and wholesomer to be warmed by the sun while you can be, than by an artificial fire.