He died eighteen Christmases ago . '' Aunt Cyrilla put her hand over the lady 's kid glove . `` So did mine , '' she said . Then the two women smiled tenderly at each other . Afterwards they rested from their labours and all had what Aunt Cyrilla called a `` snack '' of sandwiches and pound cake . The khaki boy said he had n't tasted anything half so good since he left home . `` They did n't give us pound cake in South Africa , '' he said . When morning came the storm was still raging . The children wakened and went wild with delight over their stockings . The little mother found her envelope and tried to utter thanks and broke down ; and nobody knew what to say or do , when the conductor fortunately came in and made a diversion by telling them they might as well resign themselves to spending Christmas on the train . `` This is serious , '' said the khaki boy , `` when you consider that we 've no provisions . Do n't mind for myself , used to half rations or no rations at all . But these kiddies will have tremendous appetites . '' Then Aunt Cyrilla rose to the occasion . `` I 've got some emergency rations here , '' she announced . `` There 's plenty for all and we 'll have our Christmas dinner , although a cold one . Breakfast first thing . There 's a sandwich apiece left and we must fill up on what is left of the cookies and doughnuts and save the rest for a real good spread at dinner time . The only thing is , I have n't any bread . '' `` I 've a box of soda crackers , '' said the little mother eagerly .
Nobody XXXXX that car will ever forget that Christmas .
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