`` Oh , I 'm not going since you ca n't , '' said Bertie cheerily . He thought this would comfort William John , but it had exactly the opposite effect . William John had cried until he could cry no more , but he turned around and sobbed . `` There now ! '' he said in tearless despair . `` That 's just what I expected . I did s ` pose if I could n't go you would , and tell me about it . You 're mean as mean can be . '' `` Come now , William John , do n't be so cross . I thought you 'd rather have me home , but I 'll go , if you want me to . '' `` Honest , now ? '' `` Yes , honest . I 'll go anywhere to please you . I must be off to the store now . Goodbye . '' Thus committed , Bertie took his courage in both hands and went . The next evening at dusk found him standing at Doctor Forbes 's door with a very violently beating heart . He was carefully dressed in his well-worn best suit and a neat white collar . The frosty air had crimsoned his cheeks and his hair was curling round his face . Caroline opened the door and showed him into the parlour , where Edith and Amy were eagerly awaiting him .
`` Happy New Year , XXXXX , '' cried Amy .
Amy Bertie Caroline Edith Forbes Honest John door face parlour