She had never thought she could do such a thing . It was almost the only thing she had to remind her of Donald -- handsome , merry , impulsive , warmhearted Donald , who had gone away four years ago with a smile on his bonny face and splendid hope in his heart . `` Here 's a locket for you , Gift o ' God , '' he had said gaily -- he had such a dear loving habit of calling her by the beautiful meaning of her name . A lump came into Theodora 's throat as she remembered it . `` I could n't afford a chain too , but when I come back I 'll bring you a rope of Klondike nuggets for it . '' Then he had gone away . For two years letters had come from him regularly . Then he wrote that he had joined a prospecting party to a remote wilderness . After that was silence , deepening into anguish of suspense that finally ended in hopelessness . A rumour came that Donald Prentice was dead . None had returned from the expedition he had joined . Theodora had long ago given up all hope of ever seeing Donald again . Hence her locket was doubly dear to her . But Aunt Elizabeth had always been so good and loving and kind to her . Could she not make the sacrifice for her sake ? Yes , she could and would . Theodora flung up her head with a gesture that meant decision . She took out of the locket the bits of hair -- her mother 's and Donald 's -- which it contained -LRB- perhaps a tear or two fell as she did so -RRB- and then hastily donned her warmest cap and wraps . It was only three miles to Spencer ; she could easily walk it in an hour and , as it was Christmas Eve , the shops would be open late . She muse walk , for Ned could not be taken out again , and the mare 's foot was sore .
Besides , Aunt XXXXX must not know until it was done .
Donald Elizabeth Ned Spencer Theodora bonny hour locket nuggets years