when mike came home from school he first put his books on the tv in the parlor , second made himself some kind of snack ( he was particularly partial to peanut-butter-and-onion sandwiches , a taste that made his mother raise her hands in helpless horror ) , and third studied the note his father had left him , telling mike where he , will , was and what mike 's chores were-certain rows to be weeded or picked , baskets to be carried , produce to be rotated , the barn to be swept , whatever .